All observatory personnel had been evacuated.
On Monday night, Mount Wilson Observatory’s account tweeted alarming images of the Bobcat blaze approaching the iconic 116-year-old scientific station. The fire threatens to destroy 18 historic telescopes plus cutting edge science and important radio and TV signal towers.
The #BOBCATFIRE is knocking on our door. Fire officials predicted that the fire would approach Mt. Wilson from Echo Rock. It looks like they are correct. Note: All observatory personnel have evacuated. pic.twitter.com/v5YvbGty3w
— Mount Wilson Observatory (@MtWilsonObs) September 15, 2020
On Tuesday afternoon, Angeles National Forest officials reported that the fire was within 500 feet of it with crews in place, ready to receive the strike.
The #BobcatFire is within 500 ft of the Mt. Wilson Observatory & crews are in place ready to receive the fire. Strategic firing is taking place in the south where air operations are strengthening dozerlines. Crews are working a spot fire that crossed Hwy 2 near Buckhorn. pic.twitter.com/33rI3dNet2
— Angeles_NF (@Angeles_NF) September 15, 2020
Helicopter reporters have captured an aerial view that shows the close range of the fire and the observatory shrouded in smoke. Preempting the strike, containment lines and strategic fires were set on the slopes below during the night to protect historic structures.
🔥BREAKING: The #BobcatFire is rapidly closing in on the #MtWilson Observatory and nearby communication towers… firefighters will try to protect at all cost… from #Air7HD @abc7 #abc7eyewitness #losangeles pic.twitter.com/9PcaFTaGig
— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) September 15, 2020
The fire started on September 6 and has grown to over 40,000 acres, with containment lingering at 6% for days and now plummeting to 3%. Additional crew are still on the ground working to protect the Mount Wilson Observatory and the foothill communities affected by the fire.
We give our sincerest thanks to the firefighters who are on the ground defending our observatory as well as the pilots flying aircraft for fire suppression. Here’s a picture from of firefighters crossing the “Einstein Bridge” from the 100-inch dome. #BOBCATFIRE pic.twitter.com/yrbLPtnhJh
— Mount Wilson Observatory (@MtWilsonObs) September 15, 2020
Featured image: @MtWilsonObs