[SEL] Slightly O.T.: Update on Mt. Wilson

[Rob Skinner]

Hi, Larry.

We're all very lucky that the observatory came through relatively  
unscathed.  I'm sure there will be a lot of cleanup, though.

The satellite infrared images look like complete devastation in the  
area affected by the fire.  Some visible spectrum photographs, though,  
clearly show that big trees in some of the canyons have been spared.

If it's any consolation, it was not even a year ago that we were  
lamenting the loss of the Chino wilderness.  It seemed like it would  
be many years before normalcy was restored.  But if you visit there  
now, you would hardly know that there was ever a fire.

These pictures were taken earlier this year several miles n/e of Mt.  
Wilson.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102977&id=693104413&l=831961878f
  To me, this area was the crown jewel of the San Gabes.  It's very sad.

	
Rob Skinner
Antique Stationary Engines
La Habra, California

rob at rustyiron.com
www.rustyiron.com





On Sep 16, 2009, at 8:19 PM, Larry Evans wrote:

> The wildfire that threatened Mt. Wilson Observatory started three  
> weeks ago
> today.  It burned 160,557 acres and is currently 91% contained.  It
> probably will not be completely "out" until the first good rain.
>
> Fortunately due to a very major effort by many fire crews the  
> Observatory
> and the commercial TV and radio transmission towers on the mountain
> sustained no significant damage from the fire.  The roads to the  
> area are
> closed to the general public but I visited the Observatory today to  
> start
> some repair work on a plumbing problem and had a chance to look  
> around a
> bit.  The Fairbanks Morse 50 hp RE and the building it is in is just  
> fine
> but even more importantly the big telescopes appear to be in great
> shape.  There was some concern that falling ash would get on the  
> aluminized
> surface of the mirrors and then high humidity could cause a reaction
> between the ash and the aluminum.  The staff was able to clean any  
> ash off
> with a dry carbon dioxide "snow" before any damage was done.