Mt. Palomar fire threatens observatory

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Fire officials at their command center in Riverside said the Mt. Palomar fire has exploded to 20,000 acres and could threaten the famed observatory at the top, 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 was climbing toward an array of telecommunications equipment at the top. The San Onofre nuclear power plant is on the other side.

Chief of Operations Chief Bob Green said he was asked by the governor to send in air tankers to lay down water between the fire and the communications equipment on top.

-David Kelly at Calfire Command Center in Riverside