posted 09-20-2016 02:45 AM               

South Base is home to several active launch pads — Space Launch Complex 3-East where the Atlas 5 currently stands, Space Launch Complex 4 where 10 Iridium mobile communications satellites are being prepped for a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch and Space Launch Complex 6 where United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rockets are flown.

There's also SLC-8 at the foot of SLC-6 that has been used for Orbital ATK's small Minotaur boosters.

...as of Monday evening, officials said no structures had been harmed by the fire, and resources were deployed to protect facilities from the fire's advancements.

Photo credit: Santa Barbara County Fire Dept. via Spaceflight Now

posted 09-21-2016 10:46 AM               

As of 11:00 p.m. on 20 September, base fire officials said the fire boundary is relatively stable. The fire continues to burn along portions of the south-east ridgelines, however fire teams assess these are not likely to spread beyond containment lines.

Overnight tonight, a specially-equipped aircraft will survey the fire boundary to determine its size and location. Using infrared heat detection, the aircraft will gather data that is used to build a map of the fire. Fire officials are hopeful the flight tonight will show gains made over the course of the day.

Weather forecasts indicate that winds tomorrow will blow to the northwest. This is expected to aid firefighting efforts by pushing the fire toward areas that have already burned. Over the course of the day tomorrow, fire crews will concentrate their efforts from the northwest portion of the fire area in order to stem the fire's spread in that direction, and to provide additional protection for the base's space launch complexes.

The 1,000 firefighters deployed to the fire are making steady progress. However, fire officials caution that even with the recent gains, hot spots will likely linger for several days. With increased winds expected on Thursday, these hot spots will need to be monitored to ensure that no new fires ignite.

posted 09-21-2016 11:22 AM               

SLC-3 is safe. Perspective of the #CanyonFire captured yesterday from the top of the mobile service tower. Photo credit: @GarofaloWX and Joshua Mann.

posted 09-24-2016 11:49 AM               

Currently the Canyon Fire is at 100 percent containment. It has consumed more than 12,500 acres. At its peak the fire had 1,052 fire fighters from more than 50 agencies and multiple aircraft in a battle to save life, property, and national defense facilities.

According to Lt. Col. Ryan Novotny, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, crews have restored electricity to the more than 150 facilities that lost power due to a swift moving fire through the base cantonment area on Sept. 22. At this time, the fire is controlled and fire teams are accomplishing mop-up actions.