NASA’s JPL Set to Resume Normal Operations After L.A. Fires

NASA’s JPL Set to Resume Normal Operations After L.A. FiresNASA’s JPL Set to Resume Normal Operations After L.A. Fires

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is preparing to return to regular operations following disruptions caused by the Eaton Fire, which impacted areas near Los Angeles.

Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, JPL faced threats from the fire, which has heavily affected nearby communities like Altadena. The lab, known as NASA’s primary hub for planetary exploration, has been closed since January 8, except for essential activities like managing the Perseverance and Curiosity Mars rovers and other critical missions.

With the Eaton Fire no longer posing a direct threat, JPL plans to reopen next week.

“From Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Jan. 24, 2025, the lab will be accessible to any personnel who need to work on-site. Personnel able to telework are encouraged to do so as the facility undergoes full and final cleanup,” JPL officials stated on their emergency information site on Friday, Jan. 17.

The fire’s impact has been severe, with widespread damage in the community. “Significant devastation in our community. 1,000 still evacuated. More than 150 homes completely lost, and many others will face long-term displacement,” JPL Director Laurie Leshin shared in a post on X on Jan. 10.

In a subsequent post, Leshin provided a link to a disaster-relief fundraising site aimed at supporting JPL employees and staff from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, which manages the facility for NASA.

The Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres (5,713 hectares) so far and is now 65% contained, according to NBC News. Meanwhile, the larger Palisades Fire has scorched 23,713 acres (9,596 hectares) and remains just 31% contained, making it the most destructive of the recent L.A. fires.

Categories: Science
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