A brush fire began raging across Griffith Park on May 8, 2007, and scorched 1,200 acres before firefighters put it out. The park has been steadily making a comeback. "What we are in agreement about is to let nature do its thing . . . however long it takes," said Michael Shull, the superintendent of planning and development for Los Angeles' Recreation and Parks Department. "I don't think anybody's in any rush that it's not coming back fast enough." A progress report:

Now: Park officials have spread hydromulch over 500 acres to protect the seeds in the remaining soil and slow down runoff. It will likely take another five to seven years before the park looks anything like its former self.  Hydraulic mulch is highly effective in protecting native seeds from getting washed down steep hillsides before they can germinate.