LA R/TV: Mount Wilson Transmitters Escape Damage From Flames

Walt Disney Co.’s KABC-TV Channel 7 station, which uses communications towers near Mt. Wilson, lost its over-the-air signal Friday morning as the Eaton fire continued its rampage through mountainous terrain.

Separately, radio station KLOS-FM 95.5, which also uses transmission facilities in the Angeles National Forest, went off the air overnight. Public broadcaster PBS SoCal lost signals for nearly 24 hours before transmissions were restored Friday morning.

KABC confirmed that it was “experiencing an issue with the transmitter,” without providing details of the problem.

The LA Times reports electrical power to the Mt. Wilson transmitter tower complex — used by Los Angeles’ broadcasters — was cut off late Tuesday as the Eaton fire spread on the mountain. Stations then switched to generator power to maintain their broadcast signals to viewers who rely on over-the-air antennas. On Thursday, the Eaton fire came perilously close to the huge phalanx of mountaintop transmitters.

Television and radio broadcast engineers — including for Nexstar’s KTLA-TV Channel 5, Paramount’s KCBS-TV Channel 2 and KCAL-TV Channel 9, Fox’s KTTV-TV Channel 11 and public radio outlet LAist/KPCC-FM 89.3 — sweated throughout much of the day as they watched the fire’s progress. The communications towers are near the popular Mt. Wilson Observatory.

The transmitters escaped damage by flames. But generators began running out of fuel as early as Thursday, including those powering PBS SoCal’s public television stations KOCE and KCET, said PBS SoCal Chief Executive Andrew Russell.

After KABC lost its signal transmission, the station provided digital streams of its morning newscasts directly to cable and satellite TV operators, Disney-owned Hulu Live TV and other streaming apps.

Only viewers who rely on the over-the-air antennas for television found the station blacked out.

“Teams are obviously working hard to get the feed back up for over-the-air viewers and are hopeful we have it back up soon,” an ABC spokesperson said in an email. The issue was related to the fires, the spokesperson said, but equipment was not burned.

The company directed viewers to the KABC website and streaming apps.

Two people close to the situation, who were not authorized to comment publicly, said a generator pump had malfunctioned.

Meanwhile, Meruelo Group’s KLOS-FM 95.5 radio transmitter controls were disrupted about 2 a.m. Friday and the station went off the air. Station engineers learned that the generator it was using for backup power had failed, according to a station executive.

Station employees were working to resolve the issue Friday.

The two PBS stations, including the signal for KLCS PBS, which is operated by Los Angeles Unified School District, went off the air about 10 a.m. Thursday, Russell said.

By that time, the fire was threatening the Mt. Wilson complex and the California Highway Patrol had shut down the forest roads.

“We had fire right up to the edge of the building,” Russell said. “We did not have access for fuel delivery.”

Fire threatens broadcast towers on Mt. Wilson

The Eaton Fire threatening broadcast transmission equipment atop Mt. Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains. pic.twitter.com/y9KYwLSdoT

— Andrea Shaffer, Employment/Labor Law (@Andreafreedom76) January 10, 2025

Station executives also had to scramble because fuel was prioritized for emergency vehicles, Russell said. In partnership with Univision’s KMEX-TV Channel 34, the two station groups were able to source a tank of fuel, which was then trucked up the mountain early Friday.

PBS SoCal station signals were largely restored by 9:25 a.m. Friday.

Local TV stations disrupted their regular programming to provide around-the-clock fire coverage Wednesday and Thursday as their news crews fanned out across the fire-ravaged region. Stations that provide network programming had largely returned to their national programs, including “The Price Is Right” on CBS and “The View” on ABC, by Friday morning.

Mount Wilson is a prominent peak located in the San Gabriel Mountains, within the Angeles National Forest, near Los Angeles, California. Here are some interesting facts about Mount Wilson:

Geography and Climate

• Elevation: 5,710 feet (1,740 meters) above sea level
• Located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of downtown Los Angeles
• The mountain is covered with chaparral and pine forests

History

• Mount Wilson was a sacred site for the Tongva Native American tribe
• In 1864, Benjamin Davis Wilson, a local rancher and politician, climbed the mountain and named it after himself
• In the late 19th century, Mount Wilson became a popular hiking destination

Observatory and Astronomy

• In 1904, the Mount Wilson Observatory was established by George Ellery Hale
• The observatory is home to the 100-inch (2.5-meter) Hooker Telescope, which was the largest telescope in the world when completed in 1917
• The observatory has made significant contributions to astronomy, including the discovery of dark energy and the expansion of the universe

Hiking and Recreation

• Mount Wilson offers several hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging
• The most popular trail is the Mount Wilson Trail, a 14-mile (23-kilometer) round-trip hike with stunning views of the San Gabriel Valley
• The mountain is also popular for picnicking, camping, and scenic driving

Other Attractions

• The Mount Wilson Observatory offers guided tours, including solar viewing and stargazing
• The Mount Wilson Red Box Picnic Area is a popular spot for picnics and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains
• The mountain is also home to the Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters, which transmit radio signals to the Los Angeles area.