American magazine "Science" revealed that two famous scientific facilities miraculously survived the fires that spread across the Los Angeles area this week, resulting in at least 11 fatalities.
The two facilities are NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which led planetary missions and astronomical efforts, and the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.
While the Eaton Fire, which destroyed nearly 14,000 acres and 7,000 buildings in Altadena and Pasadena, remained a significant distance from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, flames from the fire continued to climb toward Mount Wilson until they finally stopped at the edge of the observatory’s grounds.
Anthony Maron, head of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said in a press conference, "Thanks to the efforts of firefighters and observatory staff, no buildings or infrastructure were destroyed" at these facilities.
However, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director Laura L. Chien told X-In Channel that over 150 of their staff members lost their homes due to the fire. Some Mount Wilson employees were evacuated and do not know when they can return.
Veronica MacGregor, spokesperson for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, added, "For us, the story is about our staff, not the facility."
In preparation for the Eaton Fire, one of six fires spreading across Los Angeles, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory moved its Deep Space Network operations, an international network that handles leadership and communication with space missions, to a backup operations center and instructed all employees to work from home.
According to MacGregor, the facilities only sustained wind damage, although an inaccurate map circulating on social media raised concerns by showing the fire reaching the eastern gate of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
