Beginning on January 8th and extending through January 15th, “the entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources,” according to the US Forest Service. The Angeles National Forest is one of the most visited national forests in the USA, with over 3 million visitors per year.
The forest closure comes as multiple wildfires burn unchecked in the Los Angeles area. According to the LA Times, there are at least five fires burning: the Palisades Fire, currently at 17,234 acres; the Eaton fire, currently at 10,600 acres; the Hurst fire, currently at 671 acres; the Lidia fire, currently at 348 acres; and the Sunset fire, currently at 42 acres. The Palisades and Eaton fires are dominating headlines, having burned more than 2,000 structures and forced at least 180,000 residents to evacuate. So far, five fatalities have already been reported from the wildfires, but accurate numbers are not yet known.
In addition to destroying homes, the Eaton fire is currently burning up the sides of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles National Forest and is impacting some of LA’s most famous mountain bike trails. Several key Los Angeles landmarks are located in this region, and the LA Times reports that the Mt. Wilson Observatory is “imperiled” by the fire.
“The fire has reached the mountaintop, and firefighters on the ground are working to protect the observatory and the broadcast antenna,” said Tim Thompson, a volunteer with the Mt. Wilson Institute, which manages the site.
The San Gabriels have seen many wildfires over the years, and the Mt. Wilson Observatory specifically had a serious wildfire scare in 2020 when the Bobcat fire came within 500 feet of the observatory.
0 Comments