PASADENA, Calif.—A Station fire on the east flank above Pasadena is threatening the Mount Wilson Observatory, a well known historic landmark just north of Pasadena in the San Gabriel foothills.
Fire officials are predicting the fire will possibly reach Mount Wilson tonight or early Monday morning. Many broadcast and communications towers and systems used by television and radio stations are also located there in addition to the century-old observatory.
The observatory was evacuated Saturday, leaving the historic and scientifically important facility in the care of firefighters. They cleared brush around Mount Wilson to keep flames from damaging the buildings and equipment.The fire is burning north toward the Acton area and toward Mount Wilson in the east. Firefighters prevented the blazes from approaching homes in Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Altadena, and Pasadena.
About 2,800 firefighters are involved in combating the massive Station Fire that has stretched more than 100 miles and created clouds of smoke several miles into the sky. In addition, 350 law enforcement personnel are deployed.
About 2,800 firefighters are involved in combating the massive Station Fire that has stretched more than 100 miles and created clouds of smoke several miles into the sky. In addition, 350 law enforcement personnel are deployed.
Eighteen homes have been destroyed and the first fatalities were reported. Two firefighters died when their vehicle went over the side of a cliff near Mount Gleason, officials said.
The Station Fire is only 5% contained and its cause is still under investigation.
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