L-A Radio: Mt. Wilson Transmitters Threatened By Wildfire

After crossing containment lines overnight, the Bobcat fire moved within striking distance of the Mt. Wilson Observatory, the U.S. Forest Service said Tuesday, with firefighters mounting an aggressive defense from the air and on the ground, reports The L-A Times.

The fire continued to push in multiple directions Tuesday, with firefighters stationed at the observatory ready to do battle and multiple aircraft making water drops through the day. The observatory is one of the crown jewels of astronomy, and officials vowed to save the historic complex.

Officials at the 116-year-old observatory tweeted Monday night that the fire was “knocking on our door,” noting that all observatory personnel had been evacuated.

But shortly after noon Tuesday, forest officials tweeted the blaze was less than 500 feet from the observatory. Fire crews “are in place ready to receive the fire,” officials said, noting that strategic firing was taking place to the south, where air operations were strengthening bulldozer lines.

“They are in a firefight right now, because it is so close,” L.A. County Fire Capt. David Dantic said of crews positioned at Mt. Wilson.

In addition to the observatory’s iconic structures, there are several communications towers atop Mt. Wilson that are threatened by the blaze.

“There’s major infrastructure for radio, television and cell towers up there,” Dantic said, “so there might be possible disruptions.”

Every local network affiliate uses the towers atop Mt. Wilson to transmit their signals, as do PBS, Univision and KCET. At least nine local radio stations also use the equipment. The FM broadcasters include but are not limited to KRRL-FM 92.3, KCBS-FM 93.1, KPCC-FM 89.3, KTWV 94.7, KKLQ-FM 100.3, KRTH-FM 101.1, KIIS-FM 102.7, KOST-FM 103.5, and KBIG-FM 104.3.