David Bridges
Extreme wildfires can be as unpredictable as a driverless car, especially when they approach critical infrastructure. Recently, one such wildfire veered alarmingly close to a major NASA research center, raising significant concerns.
The devastating Eaton Fire ignited in the wooded hills near Altadena, a community just outside of Los Angeles. As of January 15, this catastrophic wildfire has inflicted extensive damage, destroying a staggering 4,627 structures including homes and businesses. The inferno has not only led to injuries among brave firefighters but has also tragically resulted in loss of life. A NASA instrument, mounted on an aircraft, has provided a stark aerial perspective of the charred landscape, highlighting the fire’s proximity to NASA’s renowned Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
In response to the escalating danger, the JPL facility was closed on January 8, coinciding with evacuations prompted by critical fire conditions. This esteemed laboratory is renowned for its groundbreaking work on missions such as Voyager, the Mars rovers, and numerous other explorations beyond our planet.
NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.
The satellite imagery captured as of January 11 reveals the extensive impact of the fire, which has charred approximately 14,117 acres of land. The image showcases the most severely affected neighborhoods, with dark brown areas indicating burned trees and devastated buildings in Altadena and surrounding regions, while other areas also show signs of fire damage.
In the visual representation, the areas where the wildfire originated are depicted in bright orange, serving as a stark reminder of the fire’s ferocity and the ongoing investigation into its cause.
The burned regions of the Eaton Fire as of Jan. 11, 2025, as documented by NASA’s AVIRIS-3 instrument.
Credit: NASA / Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3 (AVIRIS-3) / Lauren Dauphin
As depicted in the image, the flames approached within less than 1 kilometer (or 0.6 miles) from the JPL facility, underscoring the perilous conditions. The summer preceding the fire was exceptionally hot, with July 2024 marking California’s hottest month on record. Coupled with an extremely dry fall and a powerful windstorm, these factors contributed to the rapid spread of flames and embers into nearby urban areas.
With vegetation having become severely parched and easily ignitable, the fire quickly escalated, making it nearly impossible to contain. Fortunately, the JPL campus has thus far escaped physical damage. However, the human toll has been significant, affecting many employees.
“We are grateful that the laboratory has not been affected by the flames, thanks to the courageous efforts of our first responders,” the center recently expressed in an online update. “However, our community has faced severe challenges, with over 150 JPL employees losing their homes, and many others experiencing displacement.”
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