The blaze threatened the observatory and communications infrastructure at the peak. Later, an observatory official said it appeared to be under control.

The Eaton Fire burning through the hillsides and mountains above Pasadena is now approaching the Mount Wilson Observatory, with potential implications for both the historic structures and emergency communications during the ongoing wildfire siege devastating Los Angeles.

Don Fregulia, an operations section chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which has joined in the Eaton fire response, said that efforts to protect Mt. Wilson had proved successful and he expected that to remain the case.

Officials with Mt. Wilson Observatory reported last night that the Eaton Fire, which reached the top of Mt. Wilson, the broadcast hub for Los Angeles on Thursday, now “seems to be under control.”

The key NASA center remains under a mandatory evacuation order, but officials say both it and Mount Wilson are protected for now.

The Eaton Fire made a run for Mount Wilson on Thursday - but the historic observatory and telescope were not damaged, thanks to firefighters.