LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Fire Department swiftwater crews have rescued two men and two dogs from a tree in the surging Los Angeles River.

The rescue took place near Dodger Stadium on Friday as a storm filled the river with fast-moving water carrying vegetation and debris.

Firefighters secured the men and dogs, then put everybody in a lifeboat and guided it across the water about 15 feet to safety.

It was unclear how the men and dogs got into the river.

Homeless people often live among vegetation in the bed of the river, which usually has a little or no flowing water.