Flames were within a few feet of the broadcast towers on Mount Wilson as an aerial suppressant drop secured their safety.
Yesterday, the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County threatened Mount Wilson, which houses the transmitting towers of nearly every Los Angeles TV station, many of its FM radio stations, and other critical communications facilities in Southern California.
At one point, the fire advanced quickly to the bottom of some structures, and it appeared that the broadcast compounds would be sheared by quick-moving flames. However, a fire suppressant was dumped from a tanker, quickly knocking down the flames and reducing the immediate danger.
The affluent Pacifica Palisades community’s only communications tower, a structure that serves the local fire department, remained standing following the Eaton fire that decimated the area.
Fire crews have launched an aggressive aerial attack to protect the critical communications infrastructure, and it appears that the transmission towers and their base equipment have been spared from severe damage.
As of today, the Los Angeles wildfires have tragically resulted in at least ten fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. The fires have also led to the destruction of over 10,000 structures and the evacuation of approximately 180,000 residents.
The Pacifica Palisades fire decimated thousands of homes and severed cell service, which the carriers have largely restored.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said yesterday that the impact of the fires on communications has been minimal.
“Our hearts remain with everyone impacted by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County and the first responders answering the call during this time of emergency. While communications impacts are minimal so far, the FCC will continue to monitor how these wildfires are affecting residents’ ability to receive the information they need to stay safe.”
She said that should conditions change, the agency stands ready to support in any way it can, including any requests to deploy FCC staff to help with any communications network recovery.
According to the FCC’s database, there are no cell towers in affluent Pacific Palisades, where the average home is valued at over $4 million. However, two years ago, AT&T was granted permission to build a 45-foot monopoly near the parking lot of the prestigious Riviera Country Club, a private club off Capri Drive.
Carriers had used rooftop locations, but it appears that Crown Castle, SBA Communications, and American Tower did not manage them. However, American Tower had an in-building network at Palisades Village, a shopping and lifestyle destination.
Verizon is waiving call, text, and data charges for customers in impacted counties, including Los Angeles and Ventura, until January 18, 2025. Prepaid brands such as Straight Talk and Tracfone are extending service end dates to the same deadline.
To combat service disruptions caused by the fires and Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Verizon engineers are collaborating with local agencies to deploy portable generators and restore connectivity swiftly.
AT&T is offering unlimited talk, text, and data for customers in affected areas through February 6, 2025. Additionally, the company is waiving charges for wireline orders placed by January 7, 2026
AT&T’s FirstNet Response Operations Group is deploying portable equipment to keep first responders connected. Teams are refueling generators, staging extra network gear, and using meteorological forecasts to guide restoration efforts.
T-Mobile has restored about half of its impacted sites and is deploying portable generators in key areas like Malibu and Agoura Hills. Partnering with Starlink, T-Mobile is enabling 911 texting and emergency alerts through satellite connectivity.
