Weather forecasts prompt renewed concerns over Mt. Wilson

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Prompted by concerns over predictions of hotter and drier weather over the next few days, fire officials ordered extra resources Saturday to defend Mt. Wilson from the flames of the Station Fire.
The incident commanders ordered four heavy-duty helicopters and a special truck equipped with fire-retardant to douse the north slope of the mountain, Station Fire Information Officer Stan Bercovitz said.
Mt. Wilson is home to several major communications sites, including television broadcast towers, as well as an observatory.
Bercovitz said the fire was not making any runs toward the mountain Saturday, and the decision was made out of "an abundance of caution."
With relative humidity levels dropping, temperatures rising and winds increasing, "They want to not leave anything to chance," he said. "They want to really soak that area."
The Station Fire remained 93 percent contained Saturday and has scorched 160,557 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials expect full containment Tuesday.
More than 100 homes have been destroyed or damaged in the blaze, along with 48 commercial properties, 116 outbuildings and 146 vehicles, Station Fire Information Officer Carol Underhill said.
Fire officials have said they hope to have the blaze under control before the Santa Ana winds begin to blow late this month or early next.
More than 700 firefighters remain assigned to the Station Fire.
The cause has been determined to be arson.
Because two firefighters were killed battling the blaze, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the arson as a double-homicide.

ABOVE: Photo of "Tactical Water Tender" truck working near Mt. Wilson courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service