Hydromulching begins in Griffith Park

Hydromulching has begun in Griffith Park. This artificial-looking green organic substance is being sprayed over the denuded hillsides charred by the fire of May 8 and 9 from ground apparatus and by helicopter. The covering, described as a kind of "pie crust" laid over dirt, has been used before in other burned areas to hold the moisture and help prevent erosion and mudslides during and after rainstorms. The Dept. of Recreation and Parks has made this a priority so that the hydromulching is completed before the rainy season begins in earnest in December/January. Helicopter operations that begin tomorrow are expected to take a total of eight days; the balance of the work should be completed in the next couple of weeks. We are working to ensure that trails are reopened as quickly as possible once the work is done.