The unpredictable path of the raging Creek Fire poses a threat to transmitter towers in the San Jose Basin area. Joe Moore, President and General Manager of public radio station KVPR-FM, Fresno, made the announcement, reported GVWire.com. Moore explained that a damaged tower would interfere with on-air signals, but added that the audience would still be able to pick up the news via online streaming.
“If we do suffer damage that forces us off the air, it may take some time before the station can be returned to the air, and it may return at reduced power, stated Moore.
An emergency back-up transmission tower at a more remote site could be employed to help boost the signal if the transmission tower at Meadow Lakes, east of Auberry, California becomes endangered. Efforts to contain the fire are ongoing, but, as Moore said, “The risk that the fire could interrupt our broadcasts on FM 89.3 is real.” There are at least ten local stations that rely on the Meadow Lakes transmitter site to transmit their signals.
Moore also wanted to reassure people that station personnel are not housed at the Meadow Lakes tower location. Staff members who are continuing to report the news are broadcasting from a safe distance away at another facility.
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