Wildfire scorches 11,000 acres threatens Kitt Peak Observatory

Part of the Contreras Fire burning on the slopes of the Kitt Peak mountain on Thursday evening. KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

Revelation 16:9 “They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.”

Important Takeaways:

  • Wildfire Reaches One of the Largest Observatories in the US
  • The Contreras Fire reached the ridge that’s home to Kitt Peak Observatory.
  • A rapidly expanding wildfire reached one of the largest collections of telescopes and other astronomical equipment in the US
  • The facility says more than 30 telescopes and instruments are operated from its perch overlooking a dry and dark expanse of southwest desert. The observatory plays a key role in the study of dark energy, nebulas and other deep space objects, as well as the search for exoplanets.
  • The observatory had already been evacuated
  • The fire was started by a lightning strike on June 11. As of Friday it has burned more than 11,000 acres and is zero percent contained. Over 300 firefighting personnel are currently working the fire.

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