California’s Wildfires Destroyed Historic Amateur Observatory

A massive wildfire in California has destroyed the historic Clinton B. Ford Amateur Observatory building near Wrightwood. Ford Observatory near Wrightwood was used to study variable stars for more than half a century.

A Devastating Wildfire

The fire started at noon on 8th September in the San Gabriel Mountains and quickly spread through Los Angeles and San Bernardino, California. One of the first casualties was the historic Ford Observatory in the same mountains where the fire originated.

Unfortunately, the observatory’s high altitude and distance from population centres, which made its location very convenient for astronomical observations, were the fatal factors that ruined it. 

It was too close to the source of the fire and lay directly in the path of the flames that threatened Wrightwood. By 10th September, only the famous observatory’s charred shell of the building remained in the remote mountainous area. The fire destroyed the entire observatory, including equipment and astronomical observation logs.

According to Darrell Dooley, president of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society (LAAS), firefighters could not reach this secluded location.

The wildfire destroyed 81 structures in the county and scorched 54,000 acres of forest, in addition to the observatory. Fortunately, there were no human casualties. Firefighters evacuated all residents in time, and saved more than 99% of their homes. Only eight rescuers were injured. By 30th September, the forest fire was almost completely localised.

A Historic Place for Amateur Astronomy

In 1965, a group of amateur astronomers from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) organised a new location for photoelectric work on variable stars near Los Angeles. These studies were critical to understanding stellar processes and stellar life cycles.

The team successfully obtained a special permit from the U.S. National Forest Service to build an observatory at 7,500 feet at the eastern end of Table Mountain in the Angeles National Wildlife Refuge.

The observatory’s remote location provided dark skies that were ideal for astronomical observations, away from the light pollution of nearby cities. Astronomers dubbed the site Peltier Mountain and named themselves the Peltier Mountain Association in honour of prominent AAVSO member Leslie C. Peltier.

AAVSO member Claude Carpenter donated his 18-inch Newtonian reflector mirror to the observatory. Clinton B. Ford, after whose name the observatory was later named, assumed funding for the entire project.

In addition to studying variable stars, the observatory was also used for comet observations, asteroid searches, and educational activities, providing amateur astronomers and students the opportunity to participate in hands-on astronomical research and observations. The observatory had a 16-inch Cassegrain reflector, which was very advanced equipment for a private observatory during its active years.

In 2012, the Los Angeles Astronomical Society took over the observatory, which was then used for recreational purposes and astrophotography. Although the observatory has significantly impacted amateur astronomy, its active role had declined recently.

Hidden Threat to Observatories

Several observatories worldwide have suffered significant damage or destruction from wildfires in recent years. Here are just a few of the more notable incidents.

In June 2022, the Contreras Fire affected Arizona’s Kitt Peak National Observatory. The fire destroyed four buildings and caused significant damage to infrastructure. Lick Observatory in California nearly burned in 2020 due to the SCU Lightning Complex Fire. Firefighters saved the main structures, but the fire damaged some auxiliary buildings and equipment.

Located in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, Mount Wilson Observatory has also faced the threat of wildfires on several occasions. Since 1904, it has been a historic site with a rich astronomical heritage, where several groundbreaking discoveries have been made, including Edwin Hubble’s discovery of the universe’s expansion. In 2020, the Bobcat fire came dangerously close to Mount Wilson. But the dedication of firefighters and staff saved critical facilities, including the 100-inch Hooker telescope.

In 2003, wildfires completely burned down the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Australia, destroying five telescopes and equipment.

This suggests that climate change and increasing wildfires will threaten more observatories worldwide in the future.