Firefighters bedding down near Mt. Wilson

At the bottom of Mt. Wilson Road, firefighters bedded down in the ash-flecked open air, the forest pitch black except for the flames lighting ridgelines in the near distance.

The head of the fire appeared to be across a broad and deep canyon from the Wilson compound. Smaller flareups could be seen closer to the thicket of communications towers alongside the observatory, where five engine crews were posted overnight.

The blaze had already raced up to the winding stretch of Angeles Crest Highway that leads to the Wilson road, and the lanes remained barely passable in sections.

Road signs had melted, guardrails were burned free of their wood moorings, and the switchbacks were choked with fire-loosened boulders and scorched tree limbs.  

-- Paul Pringle at Mt. Wilson

 

Comments

[John]

Stay safe Paul and all brave fire fighters

from JPL, you guys are all heroes, wish I could go up there and help.

[Dale]

Working tonight at KPCC master control, and amazed we're still on the air! Our Transmitter is on Mt. Wilson and you guys have done an amazing job up there, and all over Southern California. My condolences on the loss of your two brother firefighters, and God bless you all! Stay as safe as you can!

[John]

Why not use the helipad north of Henniger Flats as a base for the Helis for water drops ?

[naeiri]

i hope against hope that the observatory, educational facilities & multimillion dollar projects will be saved. honestly, radio/TV towers can be rebuilt but history burned is history lost forever. i have awesome memories of picnicing in the snow up at mt wilson, running around the observatory causing chaos with my cousins. it's still a favorite place to drive up to & watch the sunset...

our eternal gratitude goes out to all the firefighters & other personnel who've been working so hard to fight this giant, insane fire. your dedication does not go unnoticed & may the two who passed today rest in peace.