Telescope, nuclear plant threatened

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Mount Palomar, San Onofre:

Fire officials at the command center in Riverside said the Mt. Palomar fire has exploded to 20,000 acres and could threaten the famed observatory at the top, which houses one of the world’s largest telescopes. They also said two fires have broken out in Camp Pendleton, the Wilcox Fire at 1,200 acres and the Ammo Fire at 350 acres. The Ammo fire has raised concerns because it is at the base of San Onofre Peak and climbing up toward an array of telecommunications equipment. The San Onofre nuclear power plant is on the other side. Chief of Operations Chief Bob Green said the governor asked him to send in air tankers to lay down water between the fire and the communications equipment.

-- David Kelly