Widespread Fire Nears Mount Wilson Observatory

A sprawling fire in the foothills north of Los Angeles is threatening the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, established more than a century ago by the astronomer George Ellery Hale and home to a variety of scientific facilities operated by a number of institutions, including University of California’s branches at Berkeley and Los Angeles, the University of Southern California, and Georgia State University.

The 5,715-foot high mountain is at the eastern edge of what firefighters are calling the Station Fire, which has consumed 42,500 acres and 18 homes. Two firefighters were killed on Sunday fighting the blaze.

The Mount Wilson property is also home to a number of towers that broadcast radio and television signals to the Los Angeles area. Fire officials said five engines would be stationed on the mountain on Monday to protect the tower and the observatory, whose telescopes include the 60-inch Hale telescope, the 100-inch Hooker telescope, three solar telescopes, and other instruments.