Next week, a rock-scaling operation will be on-going for 3 days on Highway One involving one-way traffic and delays. See the Cal-Trans page for details.

I am only a small, independent contractor for the state of California, but while there is no budget, no contractors get paid, including those who provide necessary services under medi-cal to children, the elderly, and the disabled. Students cannot receive their student loans, and must drop out of college. Over 100,000 seasonal workers for the state have been laid off. The list of people and businesses effected by this troubling, juvenile taunting over whose budget plan is best is extensive. This equates to hundreds of thousands of people who are in no position to pay their bills or purchase the things they need. When the economy is frail to begin with, taking consumers out of the equation is bad for the economy.

In the meantime, the state legislators, and their staff continue to get paid, including per diem, while the state gets to use the money it should be paying us, to pay some of the rest of its bills, and does so without penalty or interest. We, on the other hand, have had to continue to work and provide services without payment for three months. And here, I thought involuntary servitude went out in 1864. What do I know?

California leads the way, once again. It is the ONLY state in the nation to be currently operating without a budget. Two of the most significant reasons for the debaucle are: the super majority required to pass a budget — 2/3 rds of the legislature (CA is only one of three states in the nation which require a super majority); and second, term limits. We now have an entire legislature made of of politicians with insufficient experience to know how to compromise and work together for the good of the state.

So, if California cannot pass a budget, and doesn’t pay its bills during the impasse, why can’t I? Could I tell MY creditors that I will pay them when I am paid, but without the interest, as I will get none? Could I use that money I would thus save by not paying my bills to buy dog food, paper & ink for my practice, and food? Of course, not. So why is California different?

California is definitely a “deadbeat” who does not pay its bills in a timely manner, while all the time taking care of its politicians. There is no accountability, and there are no repercussions. And our state legislators are not going to change, unless we demand it. This state is broken, folks, and is in sore need of fixing.

This is a preliminary sketch of the traveling thank-you mural Dave Allen, the art teacher at PUSD, and the students will be working on this year. Dave hopes to have this mural, once completed, travel to various venues for exhibition, and to make cards that can be sent to the firefighting units from all over the world who came to our aid. Even though Dave was in Idaho during the fires, he stayed very connected with his community, and became very involved in providing ideas and input. Thanks, Dave.

I have been reading some fascinating books, which I highly recommend, if you are interested in fire behavior, USFS fire flighting techniques, and their origins. Here are some interesting facts from a couple of these books.

Did you know that on August 20, 1886, Civil War General Phil Sheridan started the federal government’s role in firefighting by ordering the Calvary in to fight a wildfire in the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872? Sheridan ordered Captain Moses Harris into the park to fight the fires that had been raging for months. The strategies Capt. Harris employed are still used today. (“Scorched Earth: How the Fires of Yellowstone Changed America” by Rocky Barker, pp. 1, 4.)

This book is an excellent history of the formation of the USFS, national parks, and the historical political background of the battle for conservation, fire suppression, and fire use practices. It is an easy read and provides original sources for information dating back to 1872.

Did you know that IC Ellreese Daniels, of the Thirtymile Fire in July of 2001 was sentenced yesterday, after being the first IC in history to be criminally charged for the deaths of four firefighters that got caught in an embankment, deploying their fire shelters in this fire? After seven years, he pled to two counts of lying during the investigation, and the four manslaughter charges were dismissed. (“Thirtymile Fire” by John Maclean; http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/6901)

Both books are fascinating reading, and will help us to understand how wildland fires are fought and why certain decisions are made. “Thirtymile Fire,” which I have finished, is a great read for firefighter and layperson alike. Five years of investigation, interviews, and pouring over thousands of documents regarding this incident went into the reporting of this catastrophe. Mr. Maclean’s biases, if any, are well hidden by the factual reporting he does, and yet, it is written as a story, that captivates the reader from beginning to end.

Did you know that current USFS fire policies mandate fighting man-made fires like the Indians fire and letting nature-cause fires like the Basin Fire burn, other than structure and personnel protection? (I’ll have to find the cite for that, as I cannot find it, at the moment.)

Did you know that the IC of the Basin Complex fire, Mike Dietrich, lost five of his own in a burn-over in the Esperanza Fire in So. Cal in 2006? (http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/fire_protection_memorial_esperanza.php)

Many of us, myself included, questioned the decisions made in the management of the Basin Complex Fire. It behooves us to understand the history behind these decisions, and why they are made, before we can hope to understand and challenge them. I, for one, am educating myself, and offering others the opportunity to do the same.

August 1st, the Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Art opened a fire photos show at the Mills Gallery. It runs all month. Here are some of my photographs that were chosen. There were another two, which I will post in the comments below. (I think)

… it could be a full-time job, it seems. But to better assist the community, I have posted the agenda for tomorrow night’s meeting on my announcement page; collected information on winter preparedness and posted it on a newly-created page; created an archive of the 5-part LA Times Wildfire Articles; added a new Coastal Trail page; created a new Cal-Trans informational page, which specifically addresses the Rain Rocks and Pitkins Curve projects; and also added some additional information and links on the CWPP page. Hopefully, the additional information will be helpful to those who wish to be informed.

I saw this vehicle in one of the lower parking lots of Ventana when I stopped by about a week-ago. I wish I had eaten, instead of just having a drink, now.

AM UPDATE: While I woke to the smell of smoke this am, and saw a lot more smoke this morning than last evening, the thermals are looking good. No new hot spots and it looks under control.

LAST NIGHT: It is hard not to panic, when the word “fire” is mentioned, but please don’t. I’ve looked at the thermals and geos, which Kimball pulled for me (I REALLY do have to get better at this stuff!!), and it appears to be on Ft. Hunter-Leggett, in the FLATS, in a very defensible place with lots of roads and access. It is just south of Nacimiento-Feggusson Rd., almost due east from my location on Plaskett, on the other side of the Santa Lucias.

For several days now, I have heard the pounding of the big guns from over the mountain, knowing it was just a matter of time before the US ARMY started another fire, but this one does not look bad. (Please, goddess, do NOT make me eat my words!)

Kinnick and I were both gone this afternoon, when it started, but we both saw it as we were driving home. Kinnick describes it as not much more than a large campfire. I would guess it is a few acres, or so. Nothing to worry about, but just an early warning. The weather is supposed to heat up this weekend.

Also, I would point out, that at least up here, there is absolutely NO wind, and temperatures were so cool last night, and tonight, that I will be using a blanket, in AUGUST for pete’s sake!! So, we will keep an eye open, and report anything significant, but I suspect it may be under control before I wake in the am. This is one of those times when no further news will be good news.

If you want to view the thermals, click on Coast Communications on my blog roll, and then click on Fire Info. Scroll down to the 3d and 4th maps.

Have a good weekend!

Despite my best efforts, educating myself, and picking up nipples, bottles, and kitten formula, my kitten died early this morning. I watched her fade all day yesterday, and knew she would not survive. I held her and stroked her until the end, around 2 am this morning. When she never had a chance to suckle her mom, her chances were slim, to begin with. I already miss the sound of her meowing.

On another front, it looks like there is a movement underway, at least on the North Coast, to formulate a Community Wildlife Protection Plan. Pelican Network sent out an announcement yesterday. This is what Jack said, for those not on his email list:

“With Don McQueen, owner of Big Sur Campground and Cabins, we [Pelican Network] will propose a process for developing a community-based fire management plan for Big Sur. Our direction will involve species protection (redwoods, for example) and fire ecology. The U.S. Forest Service Los Padres Ranger District now appropriates fifty per cent of its annual budget for “fire suppression.” But none for fire prevention. It has become, largely, a fire fighting agency. We will try to direct the process to prevention.”

As this takes shape, I will keep you notified.

Also a reminder about the Neighbor helping Neighbor Big Sur Gala fund-raising event next Saturday.

Saturday August 9th, 6:00 p.m.
The Monterey Conference Center
With Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor
Scot McKay & CVAC
Live Entertainment from Big Sur’s Finest – Coordinated by Jayson Fann
A Delectable Multi-Course Dinner from Big Sur’s Best Chefs – Deetjens, Cielo, Sierra Mar, Nepenthe, The Big Sur Bakery, Esalen, Highlands Inn, River Inn
A Special Salute to the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and Mid-Coast Fire Brigade
Silent Auction – Featuring Big Sur Arts Initiative Artist Originals, Kodiak Greenwood Photography, Vacation Getaways, and more
Live Auction Including:
• A Bentley Continental GT Coupe for a Weekend
• Tickets to Pebble Beach Food & Wine
• $2500 Gift Certificate to Pacific Tweed
Your Hosts:
Supervisor Dave Potter, David Bernahl, Tom Fichera, Robert Weakley

Tickets available online. The link is posted at surfire2008.org

Sounds like a great time for a good cause!

Final thought, I did go to the Gallery opening last night, and it was nice to see my photos displayed. I will post photographs of some of the exhibit at a later time. Some really phenomenal shots by the pros. One can certainly tell the pros from the amateurs. 😉

… which makes being productive and involved, a little over the top. Monday, my ersatz caretaker (and oh, how loosely I use that term) “gifted” me with a brand-new, I mean born that day, orphaned kitten. “Lucky” has taken over my life, just in my efforts to keep her alive.

So, this afternoon, I went off to the meeting with the USFS at the South Coast Community Center with a four-day-old kitten in a box, and all her feeding paraphenalia. It was well-attended, for a South Coast event, and the USFS sent a number of people, including John Bradford and Michael Boone. Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade’s presence was much appreciated, too, even if Jim Borrows (sp?) had to leave early. Warren Doyle, and JC stayed until the bitter end. KUSP’s Kelly O’Brien was also in attendance, as well as Jack of Pelican Network, whose last name I can never spell. (Thank you ALL!).

I had hoped the meeting would only be 2 hours, as I would be leaving anyway, and sure enough, it ended at 2:55 pm. Now THAT’s never happened before!! The other thing is that the USFS got applause, and gratitude from the South Coast community. We’ve been through a lot of District Rangers, over the years, it seems, and with some members of the community, trust has been an issue.

I left the meeting feeling as if not much was accomplished, other than an “airing” of various positions. Don’t get me wrong, the conversation has begun, but for the most part, solutions to the interrelated problems of funding, visitor service, fire danger, and community interface seem difficult to ascertain.The USFS seems resigned to trying to reconcile disparate positions — while recognizing it is an impossible task. We have choices, I know, although there are only a few that became clear to me tonight. One, is to just take care of ourselves, and each other. A second, is to get involved in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. I am sure there are others, but someone brought me a bottle of good Pinot Noir, and that seems preferable to thinking tonight.