This field of baby blue eyes shows the scorched area of the Chalk Fire. That is Cone Peak in the background.
These are the baby blue eyes, a little closer up. I have one more hillside of baby blues to add to this post later tonight, if possible.
Category: Aftermath – Basin Fire 2008
*Poppies, field
*Poppies, field, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
Chalk Fire burn area, taken on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd.
Good news for the Big Sur State Park?
This press release issued this afternoon by the State Controller’s Office certainly makes it look like the money to finish the bridges in the State Park has been freed up.
SACRAMENTO – State Controller John Chiang today announced new cash figures show the State is currently positioned to finish out the fiscal year without having to borrow an additional $1.5 billion from Wall Street.
In a letter to State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, Chiang noted that Lockyer’s ability to secure a $500 million note from Golden 1 Credit Union, the Legislature’s passage of a bill last week providing $1.57 billion in federal stimulus funds in April, and higher-than-projected funds available for internal borrowing will allow the State to meet all of its payment obligations through June 30, 2009.
“Averting the need for additional borrowing in a still-tight market is great news and will save Californians about $15.4 million in high interest rates,” Chiang said. “With sufficient cash on hand, we will be able to meet all of our obligations in full and on time, including tax refunds to California taxpayers and payments to private businesses and local programs that provide needed services to our most vulnerable residents.”
After enactment of the latest budget bill in late February, the Controller had projected the State would dip to a low of -$636 million in April. However, because of additional revenue erosion and increased expenditures in March, the low point in April fell to -$1.9 billion. But three factors changed those cash flow projections, which now show a low point on April 1, when the State will have $1.1 billion in the Treasury:
• A bill signed Friday to change Medi-Cal reporting requirements will provide about $1.57 billion in federal stimulus funds in April;
• Special funds used for internal borrowing grew by $1.35 billion, largely because they were not tapped when the State stopped funding infrastructure projects during the cash crisis, and;
• The Treasurer was able to secure a $500 million short-term loan from Golden 1.
*Poppies, close-up
*Poppies, close-up, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.
This is dedicated to long-time Big Sur local, Paul Vieregge, who passed over yesterday at home at the age of 87. Blessings to you, Paul, from the beloved hills of home. My heart goes out to Penny and Josh.
Chalk Fire Burn Area, 2
So much difference in the various areas — severe damage and great restoration. I did not get a photo, but the Madrones are coming back from the roots of the burned trees. It will be years before the Madrone forests are as thick as they were, but they will recover. Some of the burned redwoods have sprouts coming out all up and down the blackened trunks. It is amazing to see.
I have some general photos of different aspects of the fire’s aftermath, and the recovery that I have been trying to upload tonight, but alas, the internet is not cooperating. When I can …
This is a creek that runs under Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. It has become all silted up, and overflowed the road, at some point.
In the background one can see several emerald areas where the retardant was dropped. In the foreground one can see the California Poppies, red maid, and popcorn flowers. In the distance is Cone Peak.
More photos tomorrow, when I am not so frustrated with the unreliability of my internet connection. I have general photos showing the aftermath, as well as more wildflower photos — fields of Indian Warrior, Poppies, and Baby Blue Eyes, as well as a mixture of all sorts of wildflowers. Until then … sleep well, and have a great day.
*Indian Warrior
*Indian Warrior, originally uploaded by wind_dancer. (Pedicularis densiflorus)
A legend I heard years ago about these unusual flowers, was that whenever an Indian Warrior was killed in battle, his blood soaked the soil, and these flowers bloomed.
I don’t like the way the color turned out on these. The flowers are actually between red and maroon. I played with the white balance on my camera, and still couldn’t get them quite right. Notice the fern-like leaves on these flowers.
I found these in the burn area of the Chalk Fire today.
Chalk Fire Burn Area & Wildflowers
This afternoon, I took a trip through the Chalk Fire Burn Area, looking for wildflowers, and found many. I’ll be posting a few examples here, over the next few days. Parts of the forest are still incredibly devastated, and others are recovering nicely. One thing that was just astounding was the vibrant green of the hills where the fire-retardant was dropped. I had been told years ago that it was a fertilizer, but boy, I’ve never seen the effect as clearly as I did today. I have shots of some of these places, or I watched, as the planes dropped the retardant. The affect is not to be believed.
This is straight out of the camera, but it looks surreal! Wherever the retardant was dropped, is now an emerald field!
South Coast Ridge Rd., and the forest it traverses, is still closed to the public from Nacimiento Rd. to Willow Creek Rd. However, many wildflowers are viewable from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. I’d advise caution, however, as there are LOTS of tourists on that road, at least today, and most of them were apparently afraid of the edge, and preferred the wrong side of the road!
Watch for photos throughout the week. I will try to post one tonight as a teaser. 😉
And finally, a note about our rather “overzealous” new USFS “cop” — please send or call with any serious stories, if you are willing to back them up, but also remember, we may be VERY glad to have him here this fire season. Note this morning:
“03/29/09 09:14 Big Sur, Mile Marker 14 Plasket Ridge Rd. Report of illegal campfire, USFS responded with Law Enforcement, no fire.”
Healing Hills
The BSMAAC agenda is out. Not much on it but two new items: 1. the NOAA weather station; 2. Grants re fire planning and fuel reduction. However, given the concerns about the opening of the State Park, I would venture a bet that this will be the major topic for discussion under “non-agenda” items. The meeting will take place next Friday, the 20th at the Conference Center at the Lodge at 10:00 am.
Wednesday, I took a trip to town and Big Sur Valley to meet with friends. On the way, I marveled at the healing that was taking place — the green, the hills turned golden with a sea of poppies. While there are invasive species taking hold, I did spot this in the burn area just south of Coast Gallery. (The invasive species is the one that looks like wild cucumber.)
Pacific Valley School Student Mural “Thank you Firefighters”
Congratulations, all you incredible artists! You all did a wonderful job on this mural. It is beautiful!!
“The ‘Firefighters’ Mural’ was a hit and a beautiful display at the Monterey Conference Center during the First Night Monterey,” according to the art instructor, David Allen.
“The mural is going to be exhibited at the Arts Council for Monterey County, ‘Champions of the Arts Awards’ event on Jan 24. The next step is to make thank-you cards with this mural printed on the front and get the cards sent out to the firefighting units.”
Shoring up the homefront
After the elections, and after the floods, I looked back, and realized I had not posted any photos. Debbie sent me these. They were taken yesterday.
After the flood – clean-up and preparation at Debbie’s house. More great work by Blaze!
These sandbags go all around the front and side of the house. I don’t know about the back.
Sandbagging the house
Setting up the berms