Southern California fire threatens historic Mount Wilson Observatory

The Scientific American ^ | Sept. 1, 2009 | John Matson

[La Enchiladita]

The so-called Station Fire, which now covers more than 120,000 Southern California acres and is burning largely uncontained, continues to threaten the century-old Mount Wilson Observatory, home to astronomer Edwin Hubble at the time he made his landmark observations of the universe's expansion.

The observatory is currently unmanned due to the fire threat and the attending smoke, but a webcam atop Mount Wilson's 150-foot solar tower has provided observatory managers and concerned observers with a view from the scene. At 12:55 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) the camera showed a great deal of smoke but no flames.

...According to the Los Angeles Times, authorities had cleared the top of Mount Wilson of fire personnel Monday amid unpredictable conditions but today allowed them to return to fight the fire from the ground.

Fire agencies expressed optimism this morning that the fire would become significantly better contained today, the newspaper reported. Officials were "hoping a concerted effort to hack away tree limbs, cut fire breaks and lay down fire retardant would spare the Mt. Wilson Observatory and a key complex of communications towers used for over-the-air broadcasting by nearly 50 radio and television stations," according to the Times .

[antiRepublicrat]

It costs money to get them flight-worthy, money to keep them that way, and money to convert them. Nobody is putting up the money, but they’ll accept a fire causing a hundred million dollars in damage.

Maybe they just like to be able to act surprised when fires break out.

Personally, I’d like to know whether the ecoweenies have been suing to stop controlled burns in the area. I heard some of the brush is 50 years old.

[BunnySlippers]

Yesterday, they said it was a matter of “when”, not “if”. I think they are hoping it will miss vital parts of the peak ... but there is the potential for great devastation.

[Shark24]

Don’t have any knowledge on the politics of the situation but I must agree the air assets employed should be increased.

[NormsRevenge]

Burnt homes are left in ruins in the Acton area in California August 31, 2009. As of Monday evening, a total of 6,300 homes throughout the fire zone were under evacuation orders, authorities said. The so-called Station Fire more than doubled in size as it burned out of control for a sixth day, charring 105,000 acres (42,500 hectares), up from 42,000 acres (17,000 hectares) late on Sunday, and sending up towering palls of smoke that fouled the air for miles (km) around. REUTERS/Gene Blevins (UNITED STATES DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

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A home owner returns for the first time to find his home in ruins after a wildfire in the Acton area in California August 31, 2009. As of Monday evening, a total of 6,300 homes throughout the fire zone were under evacuation orders, authorities said. The so-called Station Fire more than doubled in size as it burned out of control for a sixth day, charring 105,000 acres (42,500 hectares), up from 42,000 acres (17,000 hectares) late on Sunday, and sending up towering palls of smoke that fouled the air for miles (km) around. REUTERS/Gene Blevins (UNITED STATES DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

[NormsRevenge]

re: air assets

A DC-10 Super Tanker flies under the moon on it's last drop of the day in the Acton area during day six of the Station Fire near Los Angeles, California, August 31, 2009. The DC-10, which belongs to 10 Tanker Air Carrier of Victorville, California, can hold 12,000 gallons (45,600 liters). Picture taken August 31, 2009. REUTERS/Gene Blevins (UNITED STATES TRANSPORT DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

[NormsRevenge]

Large smoke clouds from the Station Fire in Angeles National Forest, hang over the mountains on the outskirts of Los Angeles. A monster blaze raging above Los Angeles grew in size Tuesday as weary firefighters voiced hope that a break in searing temperatures would allow them to make inroads against the inferno. (AFP/Mark Ralston)

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Map showing the California communities worst hit by brush fires. A monster blaze raging above Los Angeles is growing in scope as weary firefighters voice hope that a break in searing temperatures will allow them to make inroads against the inferno. (AFP/Graphic)

[raptor29]

True, it costs money, but my point is the one that you made, comparative costs. Billions in losses every year due to these fires. I think the California tax base can afford maybe $50 million or so to buy 20 years worth of fire protection. It’s a no-brainer.

And no doubt the ecoweenies are in there too.

[SevenofNine]

It is true LA E

Apparently I watching it the fire going down on KTLA.com

[raptor29]

Now, imagine 10-20 of those DC-10’s, or even some smaller planes, immediately deployed right when this fire had started, or right when the next Malibu fire starts. Just dumping water, one after another. The fire is out in an afternoon.

Wow, you wouldn’t even need most of the fire fighters..............and there you have the issue at work here.

[Osage Orange]

So what exactly are you alluding to?

And what is your expertise in this issue?

[leilani]

Thanks for the ping. There were some false reports about fire on the peak, Discover Magazine's headline in particular, which were later modified via updates to be backfires which had been deliberately set. As the Observatory director noted in the MWO blog:

Monday, 1 Sep 09, 1:25 pm PDT - Go to www.ktla.com for live feed (click at the top of their homepage) from the mountain showing fire between the 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes along the south vacuum tube lines of the CHARA Array. White knuckle time, but if these are indeed backfires as we believe, then we are in good shape.

I'm sure this link has already been posted, but here it is again if anybody wants it:

KTLA live feed of aerials of Mt Wilson fire

[leilani]

Whoops. Right after I posted the link above to Sky5’s live feed, they’re heading home for a crew change. Sorry.

[raptor29]

I’m alluding to the lobbying efforts that keep this obvious solution from being implemented. There are several major lobbying groups involved, but one is the firefighters’ themselves. And no one ever talks about it. Except me, of course.

[Osage Orange]

Okay.....I got it.

Thanks...

One would think that Fire Dept's would have enough to worry about...without lobbying against fighting wildfires effectively.

Ex-SoCal here..............

[La Enchiladita]

I knew YOU would be on top of the story, Seven!!

It’s sad but I think a great deal of fire retardant has been sprayed on the towers also.....

[ArmstedFragg]

The webcam has shown “a lot of smoke but no flames” for three days now. The fire’s across the road in the Red Box area, north of Wilson, where the Wilson road gets to Angeles Forest Highway, but the perimeter hasn’t moved in two days. To the west of the mountain, it’s still a couple of valleys away.

Barring some huge change in wind, the ‘imminent threat’ that the media announced on Saturday will be no more imminent on Wednesday. The fire could eventually back over the mountain by the weekend, but it probably won’t do a lot of damage. Most of the activity’s on the north (Acton) and north-east (Little Rock) end at the moment.

[La Enchiladita]

The backfires are the secret to success, from what I heard.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks to all who understand that ignoring is the best response to trolls.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Do you have any evidence of this lobbying? I’m looking and can’t find any.

[La Enchiladita]

These kinds of photos are the saddest.

Has there been any news on those 5 fools who were stranded last night at some ranch?