Broadcasters hope Mt. Wilson survives Station Fire

Radio and TV broadcasters are hoping the out-of-control Station Fire doesn’t do too much damage to transmitter sites on Mt. Wilson. Firefighters expect the flames to sweep over the top of the ridge sometime today.

Broadcasters keep backup transmitters ready if main transmitters fail. But Scott Mason, the regional director of engineering for CBS Radio, says they’re usually on the same site. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that most don’t have a second transmitter site.

Scott Mason: "Geographical diversity is pretty expensive and it’s kind of, like, insurance. You have to spend a little money to get something out of it. And since we’ve never had this situation happen before, not every broadcaster has a diverse back site, a geographically diverse back up site."

KPCC’s transmitter is on Mt. Wilson. Its programs will still be available on its online stream at www.kpcc.org, and on 89.1 KUOR-FM in the Inland Empire and 90.3 KPCV in the Coachella Valley. The peak of Mt. Wilson is also home to radio communications towers that police and fire personnel use in emergencies, just like this one.