Weather Helping in Massive CA Firefight

One of the worst fires to hit California in the past century, the Station fire grew to more than 140,000 acres overnight. Still, officials said that, in part due to improved weather conditions, they continued to make solid progress and now believe historic Mt. Wilson, where a landmark observatory and crucial tv, radio and other communications antennas are erected, is out of immediate danger.

Source: Source: LA Times | Published on September 2, 2009

Temperatures continued to drop and humidity continued to rise, aiding firefighters on a massive blaze that killed two firefighters and destroyed 62 dwellings.

Officials said this morning that aggressive water and gel drops from aircraft helped prevent the mountain from taking a direct hit from the flames.

The biggest concern now is the eastern flank of the fire, which is moving in the mountains north of Altadena and Pasadena. Evacuation orders were lifted in La Crescenta, La CaƱada Flintridge and other foothill communities.

At this point, the fire is 22% contained although 10,000 homes remain threatened.

"If it stays like this, I expect an easier day tomorrow," said Bill Peters, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "We may be able to release some of our resources."