Results tagged “observatory”

Firefighters working to combat and contain the over 140,000-acre Station Fire have managed so far to keep the flames from scorching the historic Observatory and the communications towers that serve many of L.A.'s television and radio stations, as well as law enforcement and telecommunications.

HIgh temperatures and low humidity today began to subside, aiding firefighters in controlling the Station Fire, now 127,513 acres, nearly 200 square miles, in size. The blaze is now 22 percent contained, according to Forest Service officials. However, a change in weather could again downgrade containment and begin to threaten more homes.

One major concern when it comes to the Station Fire is its proximity to Mount Wilson, which is home to a renowned 105-year-old Observatory, as well as communication towers for many local television and radio outlets ("relay broadcasting"). Although there are no personnel currently allowed on Mt. Wilson, they are monitoring the fire as best they can via the news, and posting updates to their website. They also operate a live webcam from one of the towers, which you can look at here. This morning they noted: "Towercam images during the night showed Red Box area flaming dying down, which is good news, but current Towercam scenes are obscured by smoke."

The people behind SaveGriffithPark.org write in and ask the hard questions:

Yesterday's fire was knocked down quickly, but it started to bring back memories of last year, almost to date. The big 2007 wildfire charred 800 acres, but when yesterday's fire began, the Los Angeles Fire Department went aggressively after it, sending four helicopters and 262 firefighters (LA County sent an additional helicopter as well).

Haven't you always wanted to grow your favorite fruit in your own backyard?