Smokin' Hollywood

Mar. 30 - Smoke billows a few miles away from the Hollywood hills, threatening buildings.

A brush fire in the foothills above Los Angeles sent dark plumes of smoke over the famous Hollywood sign.

Images shot from helicopters showed thick black smoke billowing over the 50-foot (15-meter) iconic sign, even though the actual fire was about a quarter of a mile away and across a canyon, fire officials said.

About 200 firefighters battled the fire, assisted by water-dropping helicopters, said Ron Myers of the Los Angeles city fire department.