Okay, here’s today’s report on the Ever Ready Fire. From my perch, all is very quiet. I saw no “glow” last night, anywhere, and this morning, there is no smoke, to speak of. Very quiet, peaceful day. From what I can tell from the Cal-Trans and CHP sites, Highway One is still closed as of 9:00 am this morning, but expected to open by this evening. Maybe we’ll be lucky, and it will open sooner.
Quick Facts
Acres burned: 16,269
Miles of fireline to build: 1.5
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 93%
Expected containment: 10/28/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 19
Structures threatened: 49
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $21.9 million
Crews: 10
Engines: 32
Helicopters: 9
Air tankers: 0
Dozers: 2
Total personnel assigned: 667
Current Status: Yesterday’s firing operation in the Limekiln area was very successful. In the morning, the fire was moving very slowly, and rocks and debris were falling onto Highway 1, resulting in the closure of the highway. Had the fire been allowed to move at its own pace, Highway 1 would likely have been closed for another 5 days. The Incident Commander decided to introduce fire to speed up the completion of the burn so that the highway could be reopened sooner. Caltrans expects to reopen the highway by the end of today, providing there are no other fire incidents or adverse conditions. Last night, no fire activity was observed and crews kept a watchful eye on all constructed lines north of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.
Today’s Objectives: Provide for firefighter and public safety, keep the fire east of Hermitage Road and hold the fire on the ridge south of Gamboa Ridge.
Evacuations: On October 17, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department issued an Evacuation Warning for Limekiln State Park north to the New Camaldoli Hermitage. Approximately 9 residents are within the evacuation area. This stage of Evacuation Warning is given for affected areas where there is imminent threat to life and property. Persons who receive notification of this warning should evacuate in accordance with the direction given to them by Sheriff’s Department Deputies who are on scene. This Evacuation Warning is still in effect.
The Evacuation Watch for Lucia north to Lopez Point was lifted at 6:00 p.m. yesterday.
And from Dave Potter’s Office:
Supervisors Dave Potter and Simón Salinas
urge your attendance at one
of three community meetings being held
so you can learn more about what you need
to know, and do, as a resident of the affected burn areas.
Len Nielson of CAL FIRE,
and the
Team Leader on the
preparation of the SEAT Report,
will be present to answer questions.
Federal, state and local officials will also be in
attendance to give information and to answer questions.
The Big Sur Area meeting will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at the Big Sur Lodge from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.
This is the agenda:
1. Welcome Sup. Dave Potter and Sup. Simon Salinas
2. Introductions
3. Presentation of SEAT Report on Basin Complex Fire Len Nielson,
And Impacts to Community from Winter Storms CALFIRE
4. Brief Presentations on Winter Storm Preparedness by:
· Monterey County Office of Emergency Services
· Monterey County Sheriff’s Department
· National Weather Service
· Monterey County Water Resources Agency
· American Red Cross
· The SPCA of Monterey County
· Monterey County Resource Management Agency
5. Questions and Answers
That’s all folks. I’ve got places to go and people to see.