Firefighters still at top of Mt. Wilson

At the top of Mt. Wilson just after 10 p.m., about 25 firefighters were clearing the area around the buildings and towers as they prepared for the fire to arrive.

Heavy ash filled the air at the deserted site and smoke came up from the canyons. There was a breeze blowing through the towers and bunker-type buildings. Aside from firefighters, there was nobody else in sight and no one responded to knocks on doors at the buildings.

U.S. Forest Service Fuels Battalion Chief Larry Peabody said the firefighters would stay in place no matter what.

“Their safety zone is where they are,” he said. “It would be more dangerous for them to try to evacuate down the road.”

The flames could be seen down the mountain, immediately below the observatory. They were racing toward the peak, especially across the canyon between Angeles Crest Highway and Mt. Wilson.

Another group of firefighters rested on the ground at the base of Mt. Wilson Road. They had food, water and equipment on hand and were ready to fight the flames.

-- Paul Pringle at Mt. Wilson

Comments

[Mary]

Stay safe

[Chris]

Firefighters are heroes. Good luck guys, and THANK YOU. We are all thinking of you.

[Krista and Lily]

Here ya gio

[Krista and Lily]

yo!

[John]

Prayers are with you.

[Steve Balogh]

God bless those who will loose tonight; wildlife who will not be able to run; those who will wake up homeless tomorrow; firefighters who no matter how valiantly they try, will not be able to save everything; heroes who may lose their very lives tonight. Have mercy on all.

[Katya]

Thanks to the brave firefighters working to save this structure! It is so important to science and such a treasure for Los Angeles. Good luck and I hope they can do something that looks impossible right now and save Mt. Wilson for future generations! Thank you and please be safe!

[John]

All our prayers with all brave guys and gals.

I understand antennas around but why no heli drops?

[matt]

no matter what they should put a plaque or monument naming each of the 25 men up there, what a story- "their saftey zone is where they are." right now at 12:30 am much of the mountain range is lit up around mt wilson. it is too smoky to see any of the lights right at the communications towers as normally can be seen.

[chris]

god bless

[Lige]

"God bless those who will loose tonight"

LOSE.

I'm more sad about your Engilsh skills.

[Josh]

I cannot think of 25 braver people in the world tonight.

[Vince Meghrouni]

You are among the bravest there are and ever were. Good luck and thank you.

[Ari Shapiro]

This fire is relentless...the whole Pasadena mountain range looks like an inferno..

[Karen Leon]

There are so many opportunities our community has to offer our thanks to, especially those who protect us... we forget to give homage and thanks in times of quite peacefulness. However, in times like these we all should praise our fighters and thank God they are so willing and brave to defend us from fires, devastation and catastrophes.

I live in La Crescenta, and, although our home is safely away from any danger, we appreciate all who defend us, our families, friends, homes and lands.

Thank you, and God bless all of you... all those from the Red Cross, to the Police, to the Volunteers and to the Fire Fighters; all who are in defense of our safety. Thank you, and God Be With You All.

[Barbara]

Firefighters are true heroes!

[Virginia Hoge]

Prayers to the families of the killed firefighters. Prayers to the brave 25 still on top of Mount Wilson, risking their lives to save George Ellery Hale's irreplaceable, turn-of-the-century scientific masterpiece.

my heart goes out to you! I wish you success in this brave endeavor.

[Wayne Saddler]

The owners of the towers should be billed for the clearance work these firefighters are doing. If the property owners had done the proper preventative measures the firefighters could spend their time and energies on the hotspots.