A huge wildfire is threatening the U.S. Air Force launch pads in Vandenberg, California.
Firefighters have only contained 6 percent of the fire as of early Tuesday, according to officials. The fire has already caused two injuries and burned 7,000 acres near the base.
Launch pads by the private companies United Launch Alliance (ULA), SpaceX and Orbital ATK to launch rockets for national security missions are directly threatened by the fire. Officials said Monday evening no structures have been harmed by the fire, and resources were deployed to protect facilities.
The fire started late Saturday evening in a canyon near the Vandenburg air base. It’s cause is still unknown. Air Force officials canceled the launch of an Atlas 5 rocket, which was supposed to deliver a commercial Earth-imaging satellite to space.
Federal and local officials have classified the fire as a “high priority” fight, and noted the wildfire is expanding in all directions. The area has not been burned in 40 years, leaving vast swaths of extremely dry vegetation and deadwood to burn. Officials have ordered the evacuation of 50 nearby homes and issued warnings for smoke inhalation.
“Smoke from the Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Air Force Base may affect air quality in northern Santa Barbara County and other areas of the county,” Santa Barbara County’s Public Health Department announced Monday.”Some smoke has blown offshore, but winds can change and smoke may affect a range of areas in the county. Parts of the county may also experience falling ash.”
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a Department of Defense space and missile testing base, which host the Air Force’s 30th Space Wing. It is the hub of the the U.S. military space program.
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