On moonless nights, look for the not-so-bright sights among stars Oct 3, 2009
Mount Wilson Observatory was founded in 1904 when the city was small and outdoor lights were few. The growth of Los Angeles put an end to Mount Wilson s glory days of determining the distances of galaxies and the expansion rate of the universe. (Boston Globe)
Fire danger up as California turns windy, dry Sep 22, 2009
Firefighters burned away vegetation below the northeast slope of Mount Wilson, which is crowned with TV and communications antennas for the region, and helicopters made runs in and out of the San Gabriel Mountains while expert hotshot crews worked deep in the wilderness, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy. The National Weather Service said high pressure was building in the region and winds were expected out of the north Thursday night and Friday with gusts to around 30 mph. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Why we have forest fires Sep 15, 2009
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Tom Debellis says crews are continuing to build fire lines on the eastern flank of Mount Wilson, about 15 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. LA County offers $50K reward for info on arson. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Arson investigators screen tips in L.A. fire Sep 11, 2009
Nearly 4,500 firefighters and 28 helicopters and airplanes were attacking the blaze, and firefighters took advantage of cooler weather overnight to set backfires Thursday near Mount Wilson to further protect a historic observatory there and several communications towers. All the while, investigators are plodding away in search for a clue that could lead them to a suspect. (MSNBC -- Crime)
* Homicide probed in massive LA fire Sep 5, 2009
A historic observatory and TV, radio and other antennas on Mount Wilson, which at one point was dangerously close to the flames, are looking pretty darn good, he said, but the fire is pushing east into the wilderness and down toward foothill cities of Monrovia, Sierra Madre and Pasadena. Even in a landscape blackened by wildfire, clues abound for investigators following the path of a blaze and trying to find out how it started. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
LA wildfire ruled arson Sep 4, 2009
Dietrich said the threat to Mount Wilson home to a historic observatory and communications towers used by several local television, radio and law enforcement agencies had diminished. California is frequently hit by wildfires due to its dry climate, winds and recent housing booms that have seen home construction spread rapidly into rural and densely forested areas. (iAfrica.com)
Los Angeles wildfire caused by arson: authorities Sep 4, 2009
The threat to Mount Wilson, home to an historic observatory and communications tower used by the bulk of Southern California television and radio stations, has diminished, according to fire commanders. The Station fire burns on the hills in the Tujunga area of Los Angeles, California September 1, 2009. (Xinhuanet, China)
Los Angeles' biggest-ever fire ruled arson: officials Sep 4, 2009
Dietrich said the threat to Mount Wilson - home to a historic observatory and communications towers used by several local television, radio and law enforcement agencies, had diminished. Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Jerry Meehan meanwhile said the fire was the largest in the area's history. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Calif. Firefighters Take Battle to Blaze Sep 3, 2009
Mount Wilson is currently strongly defended. Firefighters set backfires near the facilities Tuesday before a giant World War II-era seaplane-turned-air tanker made a huge water drop on flames inching toward the peak from the north and west. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Last of L.A. wildfire evacuees return Sep 3, 2009
"That area is requiring a lot of work. A wave of elevated humidity and light clouds gave firefighters a second day of respite from hot, dry weather. Improved weather was key in the battle, so far successful, to save Mount Wilson, home to a world-famous observatory and a telecommunications and broadcasting hub for the region. Additional neighborhoods closed by the fire were reopened as well. Police said that by late Wednesday night, the last few evacuation orders would be lifted. By Wednesday... (Scientific American)
Wildfire Smoke Fuels Respiratory Ailments Sep 3, 2009
Officials also worried about the threat to a historic observatory and TV, radio and other antennas on Mount Wilson northeast of Los Angeles. But on Tuesday, firefighters set backfires near the facilities before a giant World War II-era seaplane-turned-air tanker made a huge water drop on flames inching toward the peak from the north and west. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Investigators look for clues into cause of CA fire Sep 3, 2009
Firefighters fixed their attention on the blaze's fast-moving eastern side where flames lapped at the foot of a vital communications and astronomy center of Mount Wilson, and on the northwestern front, where the two firefighters were killed on Mount Gleason near the city of Acton ... U.S. Forest Service incident commander Mike Dietrich says the fire burning near Mount Wilson is now a low intensity fire. (Fresno Bee)
Britain Tuesday published correspondence with the Scottish government to refute allegations that the Lockerbie bomber's release was linked to a trade deal.• UK minister: no deal on Lockerbie bomber Sep 2, 2009
Fueled by bone-dry brush and soaring temperatures, the wildfire, known as Station Fire, was also burning close to Mount Wilson, which hosts a historic observatory and an array of telecommunication towers used by TV and radio stations and public safety agencies. Nearly all of the 22 Los Angeles TV stations transmit signals via those towers, and so do more than two-thirds of the region's FM radio stations. (Xinhuanet, China)
Click to read:An Ominous Start to Calif. Wildfire Season Sep 2, 2009
Officials were worried about the threat to a historic observatory and TV, radio and other antennas on Mount Wilson northeast of Los Angeles ... The fire was still moving toward Mount Wilson, but Dietrich said he was confident that any damage would be minimized. (CBS News)
A good idea, up in flames Sep 2, 2009
Fire prevention and suppression were so successful that many of the canyons leading up Mount Wilson north of Pasadena hadn t burned for 40 years or more until now. And since these slopes haven t recently been scoured by fire, they are choked with dry chaparral that is like a thicket of tinder, making the conflagration that began over the weekend much worse than it otherwise would have been. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Full Story Sep 2, 2009
At late morning, the fire was close to facilities at the historic observatory on Mount Wilson northeast of Los Angeles, a KCBS-KCAL TV helicopter showed from above the 5,700-foot-high peak ... Fire crews earlier set backfires and sprayed fire retardant at Mount Wilson, which is also the site of at least 20 television transmission towers, radio and cell phone antennas. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Inferno could mean dangerous fall season in Calif. Sep 2, 2009
Officials were worried about the threat to a historic observatory on Mount Wilson northeast of Los Angeles ... Authorities could not immediately ascertain whether the fire at the top of Mount Wilson was the result of the overall advance of the blaze or backfires set by fire crews ... Mount Wilson is home not only to the observatory but numerous television, radio, and cellphone antennas serving the metropolitan area. (Boston Globe)
Firefighters gain on blaze near Los Angeles Sep 2, 2009
Fire crews set backfires and sprayed fire retardant at Mount Wilson, home to at least 20 television transmission towers, radio and cell phone antennas, and the century-old Mount Wilson Observatory. It also houses two giant telescopes and several multimillion-dollar university programs in its role as both a landmark for its historic discoveries and a thriving modern center for astronomy. (FOX 11, AZ)
Heat fuelling California wildfire Sep 1, 2009
Mount Wilson, where the towers are located - near the city of Pasadena - is also home to a historic solar observatory. Mike Dietrich, of LA County Fire Dept, said: "We are making progress. But it is... slow and very dangerous. We have to wait for the fire to come to us.". (BBC News)
Blazethreatens historic science hub Sep 1, 2009
Communications towers, transmitters, telescopes on Mount Wilson at risk. Kevork Djansezian / Getty ImagesThe communications towers on top of Mount Wilsonare threatened by a raging fire in the Angeles National Forest ... Aug. 31: Firefighting crews fought to protect millions of dollars worth of communications equipment on Mount Wilson, where wildfires could destroy critical transmitters for police and fire departments as well as for two dozen TV and radio stations across southern California. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Read the story Sep 1, 2009
Firefighters mop up along a ridge near Mount Wilson during the Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 ... The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported the three included a couple who sought shelter in a hot tub and a person burned in an evacuation area near Mount Wilson ... With flames about a half-mile away from the communications and astronomy centers on Mount Wilson, crews planned to set more backfires and planes dropped fire retardant around the... (CBS News -- Evening News)
California Wildfires Scorch 150 Miles, No Rescue For 5 Evacuation Holdouts One fire official said, "It is burning everywhere." Sep 1, 2009
Beyond the thousands of residential homes threatened, the fires could damage a vital television, radio and communications center and observatory on Mount Wilson ... "It's not a matter of if it impacts Mount Wilson, it's a matter of when," L.A. County Fire Capt. Mike Savage told KABC Sunday ... The Mount Wilson Observatory, a fixture in Southern California since its founding in 1904, is responsible for discovering the existence of "countless galaxies," and is home to the world's largest publicly... (ABC News)
Raging wildfire menaces observatory, TV towers Sep 1, 2009
Mount Wilson opened the heavens and then became a modern hub for communications on Earth ... The wildfire ravaging the mountains north of Los Angeles drew within a half-mile of the revered Mount Wilson Observatory Monday, threatening the birthplace of modern astronomy as well as a virtua 00003B12 l forest of communication towers that serve the region ... Firefighters protecting Mount Wilson retreated Sunday but continued to dump flame retardant around the towers, transmitters and telescopes from... (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
California wildfire more than doubles on sixth day Sep 1, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Aug 31 (Reuters) - A massive wildfire roaring through mountains north of Los Angeles forced some firefighters to retreat on Monday as the toll of engulfed homes rose sharply and flames menaced Mount Wilson, a broadcasting hub and site of a historic observatory ... Fire crews fought to protect the slopes around the 5,700-foot (1,740-metre) peak of Mount Wilson, home to 50 buildings plus a famous array of telescopes and a critical cluster of transmission towers for broadcasters. (AlertNet)
Cocaine Laced With Dangerous Veterinary Medicine Sep 1, 2009
Two firefighters died in a wildfire Sunday in the San Gabriel Mountains that threatened about 12,000 homes and the century-old Mount Wilson Observatory. The top commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan said Monday the situation in the country is "serious" and a new strategy is needed to defeat the Taliban. (W-USA News, DC)
Wildfire razes 74 buildings near Los Angeles Sep 1, 2009
On the fire s eastern flank, officials were still hoping a concerted effort to hack away tree limbs, cut fire breaks, and lay down fire retardant would spare the Mount Wilson Observatory and a key complex of communications towers, used for over-the-air broadcasting by nearly 50 radio and television stations ... At Mount Wilson, the intensity and unpredictability of the blaze, which continued shifting directions, forced fire crews to pull back from the mountaintop and wait for the firestorm to... (Boston Globe)
Firefighters killed in Southern Calif. Aug 31, 2009
Firefighters fixed their attention on the blaze's fast-moving eastern side where flames lapped at the foot of the vital communications and astronomy center of Mount Wilson, and on the northwestern front, where the two firefighters were killed on Mount Gleason near the city of Acton ... Broadcast transmitters threatenedThe Southern California fire was expected during the night Sunday to reach the top of Mount Wilson, where 22 television stations, many radio stations and cell phone providers have... (MSNBC -- Race)
Calif. fire to reach mountain's TV transmitters Aug 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Authorities say flames from a major wildfire north of Los Angeles are about to reach Mount Wilson, home to a historic observatory and transmitters for every major television and radio station in the area ... Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Mark Savage tells KABC-TV Sunday that "it's not a matter of if it impacts Mount Wilson, it's a matter of when," and estimated that the flames could leap to the top of the mountain within a few hours. (Anchorage Daily News)
* California firefighters wage fierce wildfire battles Aug 31, 2009
A major goal was to keep the fire from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the regions broadcast and communications antennas and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory are located, officials said. The Mount Wilson communications site is still actively threatened, and we dont know what will happen tomorrow, Dietrich said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Firemen die in California inferno Aug 31, 2009
Mount Wilson near the city of Pasadena, where the towers are located, is also home to a historic solar observatory. Firefighters were withdrawn from the mountain after clearing brush and spraying fire retardant because conditions were too dangerous, officials said. (BBC News)
Click to read:Two Firefighters Die in L.A. Wildfires Aug 31, 2009
The Southern California fire was expected during the night Sunday to reach the top of Mount Wilson, where 22 television stations, many radio stations and cell phone providers have their transmitters, said U.S. Forest Service Capt. Mike Dietrich ... Two giant telescopes and several multimillion-dollar university programs are housed in the century-old Mount Wilson Observatory ... The injuries occurred Saturday in the evacuation areas - two in the Big Tujunga Canyon area and one off Highway 2 near... (CBS News)
Firefighters Battle Surging Calif. Fires Aug 31, 2009
The injuries occurred Saturday in the evacuation areas - two in the Big Tujunga Canyon area and one off Highway 2 near Mount Wilson, Jorgenson said ... A major goal was to keep the fire from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the region's broadcast and communications antennas and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory are located, officials said. (CBS News -- US)
Evacuations... Aug 30, 2009
A major goal was to keep the fire from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the region's broadcast and communications antennas and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory are located, officials said. Air crews waged a fierce late afternoon battle against the southeast corner of the fire, burning dangerously close to canyon homes. (The Drudge Report)
Evacuations Grow As California Wildfire Spreads Aug 30, 2009
A major goal was to keep the fire from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the region's broadcast and communications antennas and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory are located, officials said. Authorities issued a mandatory evacuation notice early Saturday for 150 homes located within a half-square-mile area and on the slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains. (Newsmax)
