Democratic Underground - Updates from Mt Wilson.

Some highlights...

Monday, 1 Sep 09, 10:10 am PDT - Some good news. U.S. Forest Servie Fire Dispatch has informed us that as of 9:40 this morning ground crews were back at the Observatory. As of 8:00 am, air tankers were back in operation. The dispatcher expressed his opinion to Dave that as long as the fire continues to press the mountain from one direction "you are going to make it." Furthermore, there is some light rain developing in places in the Los Angeles basin, and there is a possibility for some thunderstorm activity that could lead to dry lightning. The humidity is up and the temperature is a bit lower, so, all in all, things are looking more promising than they have in the last few days.

Monday, 1 Sep 09, 8:40 am PDT - Before I forget, I want to acknowledge the great service that UCLA Professor Roger Ulrich's group at the 150-ft Solar Tower Telescope has provided us with their Towercam. Its steadfast watch on the mountain has been the only real link we have had up there for more than 24 hours, and the stable scene it is displaying is a real source for optimism.

Monday, 31 Aug 09, 2:46 pm PDT - CHARA Array operator PJ Goldfinger reported that at about 2:00 pm she monitored an LA County Sheriffs Department transmission advising a pullout from Red Box, the major staging area near the mountain. I just spoke with Sherry Roman, Public Affairs Officer of the Angeles National Forest. She could give no updates as to the status of the fire in the Mount Wilson vicinity except that the USFS still considers that passage of fire across Mount Wilson is imminent and will be fought aerially rather than with ground personnel. Once the fire is through the area, they can assess the damage by air after the event before they can send in ground personnel. She also confirmed what PJ's monitoring implied, that firefighters have been removed from Red Box.

This roller coaster has taken a dip downward.

Sunday, 30 Aug 09, 5:32 pm PDT - Dave Jurasevich is back on the mountain courtesy of the Forest Service. His helicopter ride included a survey of the fire in its entirety, and it is clear that the major activity and growth is not in the immediate vicinity of Mount Wilson. That's very good news. Furthermore, the activity during the day by the fire crews now stationed on the Observatory grounds, which consist of units from Calaveras County, California, is extraordinarily gratifying. They have occupied the day with very significant brush clearing and preparation of flammable wooden structures that diminish their vulnerability to save the prime science and historic facilities of the Observatory. We have opened visiting astronomer housing for them to use for showers and rest. These are extraordinary people who say they are just doing their job, whereas to us they are preparing to save a world-class observatory.

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