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Mt. Wilson Stations Rely on Generators

Power expected to return Thursday after more winds force outage

Power outages continue to disrupt southern California’s Mount Wilson for a second week, forcing broadcasters to rely on backup generators.

On Saturday, Southern California Edison restored power to the 5,700-foot summit that is home to the transmission towers for most Los Angeles broadcast stations for approximately 36 hours. Power was turned off again Monday due to a public safety power shutoff for more high winds, according to Doug Irwin, iHeartMedia Los Angeles’ regional engineering lead.

Southern California Edison's outage map, showing Mt. Wilson.
Southern California Edison’s outage map, showing Mt. Wilson.

He said that power restoration is estimated by Thursday, according to officials. 

Irwin was on the mountain earlier Tuesday to coordinate a generator refueling. He reported that his stations are operating normally with no disruptions. They include 92.3 KRRL(FM), 102.7 KIIS(FM), 103.5 KOST(FM) and 104.3 KBIG(FM). 

[Related: “Southern California Wildfires Test Broadcasters’ Resilience”]

Scattered small fires were reported across southern California Monday as Santa Ana winds gusted as high as approximately 85 mph. The winds have since diminished Tuesday. 

There is hope, according to forecasters, of some beneficial rains in southern California late this week.

Broadcasters with antennas atop Mount Wilson and the slightly lower site just to its south, Mount Harvard, are no stranger to changing weather conditions.

Photo from Mt. Wilson, with Mt. Harvard in the right background, courtesy of Steve Rhoades, KABC(TV) broadcast systems specialist.
Photo following the Eaton fire from Mt. Wilson, with Mt. Harvard in the right background, courtesy of Steve Rhoades, KABC(TV) broadcast systems specialist.

Ron Thompson, chief engineer at 91.5 KUSC(FM), which transmits atop Mount Harvard, said the sometimes treacherous service road that must be traveled to get to Harvard by way of Wilson has been buried in the past by snowfall. The wintry conditions caused one instance where hiking to the transmitter was the only access possible. 

Radio World has been following operations on Mount Wilson since flames were captured close to its towers on Jan. 9.

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