Two Firefighters Killed As SoCal Wildfires Rage

Flames were nearing Mount Wilson, home to the historic Mt. Wilson Observatory, as well as transmitters for every major television and radio station in the area. TV stations indicated taht if the antennas burn down broadcast signals will be affected but satellite and cable transmissions should not be.

Meanwhile, mandatory evacuations were in effect for neighborhoods in Glendale, Pasadena and other cities and towns north of Los Angeles. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged those in the fire's path to listen to authorities and get out.

Some have not listened. Two people who tried to use a backyard hot tub to ride out the firestorm were critically burned. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Sunday that the pair, who lived in Big Tujunga Canyon, on the southwestern edge of the fire, "completely underestimated the fire" and that the hot tub provided "no protection whatsoever."

Additionally, three other people were injured in the fire on Saturday in other areas with similar evacuations in effect. Common sense, not much, eh?

The blaze was only about 5 percent contained. There are also numerous other wildfires, such as the Azusa fire, a 3.4-square-mile blaze, which started Tuesday afternoon and was 95 percent contained Sunday. Full containment is expected Monday.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula fire on the south Los Angeles County coast was 100 percent contained, according to county fire officials, and SE of Los Angeles in Riverside County, a 3.8-square-mile fire in a rural area of the San Bernardino National Forest was 75 percent contained.