Officials Evacuate Mount Wilson Observatory as Flames of Bobcat Fire Move Closer

Staff at the Mount Wilson Observatory were evacuated early Monday as flames from the 4,800-acre Bobcat Fire, which ignited Sunday near Cogswell Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest, inched closer, according to the observatory.

Cal Fire ordered evacuation of staff this morning. pic.twitter.com/9hfZmaRrMH

— Mount Wilson Observatory (@MtWilsonObs) September 7, 2020

The facility was already closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but as the orange flames creeped closer to the iconic white domes housing powerful telescopes, staff were told to clear out, the observatory said via social media.

Renowned seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones weighed in on the importance of the institution, and not just for astronomers.

“Caltech operates the Mount Wilson seismic station. It has recorded all the important California earthquakes for 100 years,” she said via Twitter.  “The #Bobcat fire threatens to destroy it today.”

“The building may be old but the instrumentation inside is state of the art.,” she said.

Meanwhile, fire officials in Pasadena were keeping a watchful eye on the wildfire, as shifting winds could potentially push the flames in the city’s direction, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Authorities also warned of unhealthy air quality created by the smoke and ash.

See also:
Pasadena Officials Keep Cautious Eye on Bobcat Fire, Warn of Bad Air Quality