Destructive Eaton Canyon Fire is approaching Mount Wilson in Los Angeles, threatening the broadcast transmission towers, antennas, and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.
If the fire reaches the mountaintop, it could severely impact communication, limiting the broadcasting capabilities of major TV and radio stations in Los Angeles.
According to local media KCBS/KCAL, firefighters have arrived at Mount Wilson to conduct firefighting operations.
Mount Wilson is where the signals for most of the Los Angeles TV stations are transmitted, and many radio stations rely on this location to broadcast their content.
While most television stations now transmit signals to providers via fiber optics and also use streaming media applications to play live news, there are still viewers who rely on over-the-air signals to watch programs. For Los Angeles residents experiencing the disaster of a wildfire, this could affect their ability to receive important news.
In contrast, some radio stations in Los Angeles are facing even greater challenges. Although some stations have set up auxiliary towers at other locations to quickly resume broadcasting, the power may be lower, and the coverage area may be reduced.
Fortunately, many of the transmission devices on Mount Wilson are constructed from fire-resistant materials such as coal cinder bricks, providing hope for engineers that the fire will not cause significant damage. This is not the first time Mount Wilson has faced the threat of a fire. Wildfires in 2009, 2017, and 2020 have previously burned nearby land.
Meanwhile, the Mount Wilson Observatory posted the latest update on their Instagram page: “The Eaton Canyon Fire is approaching Mount Wilson. Fire personnel are on site, but the observatory is currently without power, limiting communications. We are closely monitoring the situation and will do our best to provide updates here. Thank you for your concern.”
Currently, the observatory remains safe. Established in 1904 and first opened to the public, the observatory is a highly significant landmark in Los Angeles.