LAPD Responds to Southern California Wildfires

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Officers of the Los Angeles Police Department have been responding to the area's rash of wildfires this week, serving a wide variety of missions.

One of their missions has been to help animals trapped in the fire zones.

Officers from the LAPD's equestrian unit helped rescue horses trapped in the massive Creek Fire in Sylmar.

The Creek Fire started Tuesday morning and has destroyed at least 30 homes and burned nearly 11,500 acres.

Within the city limits LAPD officers responded to the Skirbal Fire, which erupted early Wednesday morning next to the 405 freeway near Mulholland Drive. The Skirball fire has burned nearly 500 acres and destroyed four homes in Bel-Air.

Neither fire is contained.

The LAPD mounted unit used its equipment to rescue horses in Sylmar. (Photo: Officer Gary Copeland/LAPD)

LAPD vehicle at Creek Fire on Foothill Blvd. going over Tujunga wash. (Photo: Greg Doyle)

LAPD officers on the smoky streets of Bel-Air. (Photo: Sergeant Timothy Colson/LAPD)

LAPD Mounted Unit officers rescue a horse from the Creek Fire. (Photo: Officer Gary Copeland/LAPD)

Injured horse rescued from Creek Fire. (Photo: Officer Gary Copeland/LAPD)

LAPD officers from the Northeast Division working the Skirball Fire wear masks to protect them from the smoke. (Photo: Sergeant Terry Anderson/LAPD)

LAPD Officer Tae Kim rescues a cat in Bel-Air. The cat was reunited with its owner. (Photo: Sergeant Timothy Colson/LAPD)