Bobcat fire: Firefighters continue protecting Mt. Wilson Observatory

Firefighters on Wednesday, Sept. 16, continued keeping the Bobcat fire from reaching the Mount Wilson Observatory while also working to control a 700- to 1,000-acre spot fire that erupted in Cooper Canyon, authorities said.

After focusing much of Tuesday’s efforts protecting the foothill communities and the iconic observatory – which had flames within 500 feet of it – Angeles National Forest authorities said they were working to keep those gains.

MAP: Where the Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains

“Yesterday, firefighters were successful in keeping the fire from impacting Mt. Wilson Observatory,” the agency said. “Fire behavior moderated at the south end of the fire overnight, and this helped the crews working on strengthening control lines around the foothill communities and Mt. Wilson.”

Fire crews, helped by air drops, had mounted a defense to protect the 116-year-old observatory and the $1 billion-plus communications infrastructure on Mount Wilson.

This morning the Bobcat Fire is at 44,393 acres and is 3% contained. We had a good night last night and fire behavior moderated at the south end of the fire. There was no infrared flight last night. #BobcatFire pic.twitter.com/hixptkX1vN

— Angeles_NF (@Angeles_NF) September 16, 2020

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As of Wednesday morning, the blaze had scorched 41,773 acres and remained at 3% containment, down from 6% reached over the weekend. Containment is the percentage of the perimeter where the blaze won’t expand beyond.

On Tuesday, an evacuation order was issued for homes north of Angeles Crest North and between Clear Creek Station and Highway 39. Evacuation orders issued over the weekend for some residents of Sierra Madre and Arcadia remained in place.

Evacuation warnings were also still active for Pasadena, Altadena, Monrovia, Bradbury, Sierra Madre and Duarte.

Source: Orange County Register