Bobcat fire within 500 feet of famed Mt. Wilson Observatory

[Zorro]

After crossing containment lines overnight, the Bobcat fire moved within striking distance of the Mt. Wilson Observatory, the U.S. Forest Service said Tuesday.

Officials at the 116-year-old observatory tweeted Monday night that the fire was “knocking on our door,” noting that all observatory personnel had been evacuated.

But shortly after noon Tuesday, forest officials tweeted the blaze was less than 500 feet from the observatory. Fire crews “are in place ready to receive the fire,” officials said, noting that strategic firing was taking place to the south, where air operations were strengthening bulldozer lines.

“They are in a firefight right now, because it is so close,” L.A. County Fire Capt. David Dantic said of crews positioned at Mt. Wilson.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-15/firefighters-lose-ground-as-bobcat-fire-moves-closer-to-homes-mt-wilson-observatory

[gristy]

1. Good heavens, why have they not kept a cleared no-burn zone in a ring around

the facility? I suppose there is a reason. Cost? That's the only thing I can think of...