Raging L.A Wildfires Force NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Evacuate

The devastating Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County has forced the closure and evacuation of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, as flames approached dangerously close to the renowned space exploration facility. The fire, which erupted on Jan. 7 in Eaton Canyon, has spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds, and now spans nearly 10,600 acres. It remains completely uncontained as emergency crews battle to control it.

A satellite image taken on  Jan. 8 shows the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, California. Pic Credit: Planet Labs PBC

 

JPL, operated for NASA by the California Institute of Technology, lies within a mandatory evacuation zone. While no fire damage to the lab has been reported, strong winds have caused minor damage to the facility, according to JPL Director Laurie Leshin.

“JPL is closed except for emergency personnel,” Leshin wrote on social media on Jan. 8. “No fire damage so far (some wind damage), but it is very close to the lab. Hundreds of JPLers have been evacuated from their homes, and many have lost homes. Special thanks to our emergency crews. Please keep us in your thoughts and stay safe.”

Operations Relocated Amid Crisis

The lab’s 168-acre campus, which houses advanced facilities for assembling, testing, and operating spacecraft, as well as managing NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), has been secured. However, JPL’s critical DSN operations, which handle communications with missions across the solar system, have been temporarily relocated to a backup operations center offsite.

JPL updated its emergency page on Jan. 8, stating that the facility would remain closed until at least Monday, Jan. 13. “Currently, JPL facilities, labs, and hardware are secured and protected,” the announcement said.

Impact on Employees and Community

The wildfire has forced the evacuation of over 50,000 people from the surrounding areas, and tragically, five casualties have been reported. Hundreds of JPL employees have been directly affected, with many evacuated from their homes and some losing their residences entirely.

JPL employs approximately 5,500 full-time staff members and is a cornerstone of NASA’s space exploration efforts. The laboratory is responsible for historic missions like the Voyager spacecraft, the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, and the Mars Sample Return program.

The Battle Against the Eaton Fire

The Eaton Fire is one of several wildfires devastating Los Angeles County, spurred by days of unusually strong winds. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze, but as of Thursday afternoon, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported 0% containment.

A Legacy at Risk

Founded in the 1930s, JPL has been instrumental in pioneering robotic space exploration. Its closure, though temporary, underscores the growing threat posed by climate-driven wildfires in California, which have increasingly disrupted lives and critical infrastructure in recent years.

As emergency crews fight to protect the lab and surrounding areas, the focus remains on the safety of personnel and the preservation of the facilities that are vital to NASA’s space missions. The Eaton Fire has already left a lasting mark on the community, and its impact will be felt long after the flames are extinguished.

 

 

By Azhar

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