More Prescribed Burning on Palomar

For the rest of this week the National Forest Service is continuing its prescribed burn in the Fry Creek Campground area on Palomar Mountain.


As you can see from this photo, taken yesterday afternoon from just behind the 200-inch dome, the burning is pretty close to the observatory. Unfortunately the smoke and ash has severely limited the observing during the last two nights. On the other hand, the burning will ultimately make the observatory a safer place and may prevent a much larger disruption of astronomical observations in the future.

Visitors heading to Palomar Mountain this week should be on the watch for the NFS crews. Please give them your courtesy. Also, be aware that smoke can sometimes drift into the roadway limiting visibility.