ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on wildfires in Southern California (all times local):
5:45 a.m.
Crews with air support are racing to protect a historic observatory and communications towers from a growing brush fire on Mount Wilson northeast of Los Angeles.
Robert Diaz of the Los Angeles County Fire Department says flames that broke out just before 4 a.m. Tuesday are threatening the observatory near the 5,710 foot (1,740 meter) peak. Officials say the observatory has been evacuated and the fire is not burning near foothill residences.
Firefighters getting help from water-dropping aircraft are also aided by light morning winds. The glow of flames is seen across parts of Los Angeles and surrounding valleys.
The blaze was initially estimated at around 5 acres, but it steadily expanded as flames chewed through dry brush.
Mount Wilson houses critical broadcast and communications antennas for the region.
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5:30 a.m.
Crews are on the scene of a small but growing brush fire northeast of Los Angeles near communications towers and the historic observatory on Mount Wilson.
Los Angeles County officials say no structures are immediately threatened by the blaze that broke out before dawn Tuesday on steep hillsides in the Angeles National Forest.
Crews are aided by light winds and cool morning temperatures. Helicopters began making water drops after the sun started rising.
The blaze was initially estimated at around 5 acres, but it steadily expanded as flames chewed through dry brush.
The glow of flames is seen across parts of Los Angeles and surrounding valleys.
The fire’s not burning near foothill neighborhoods but firefighters will try to protect the communications center and observatory near the 5,710 foot (1,740 meter) peak.
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