Day: July 11, 2008

(Don Case) Finding a bowl-buddha

Don Case, sorting through the rubble of his home. Photo (and title) by Joyce Duffy. (Thank you Joyce!)

Joyce asked me to “pass this around” and so I am posting it here. It so poignantly captures the heartbreak of loss, I was honored that she asked me to share it. Feel free to leave Don Case, Panny, Josh, Neva, and Joyce Duffy your messages in the comment section (just click on comments), and I will make sure she sees each one of them and will notify her of each new post. Namasté, my friends and family.

Cone Peak, 7 am update

This morning, visually things look better Cone Peak way, as do the thermals for that area. I can see no visible plumes. There is smoke, but much more dispersed than yesterday afternoon. Also, temperatures have dropped, and it is almost chilly this am, being in the mid-60’s. Unfortunately, the winds will still be a significant factor.

This am I am hearing what MIGHT be air support. Have not confirmed w/ a visual.

**9 am UPDATE** Report from local scanner-listener that it has NOT hit Cone Peak Rd, and is two ridges east

**10 am UPDATE** Good thermal map w/ locator markers posted at 6 am found here:
http://www.surcoast.com/Southend.html
Thanks, Jim!!

And note this comment from xasauantoday.wordpress.com:

“South Coast Kate’s observations agree with MODIS quite well. She tells us that the glow of the fire behind Cone Peak faded after midnight and that no smoke plumes are visible in the area this morning.

6:30AM July 11 Update:

Kate, on the South Coast, has written us to say that she managed to get a confirmation from the USFS Information Officer (no small accomplishment) that the fire is burning south of the Rodeo Flat containment line. ”

Gone for the rest of the day, will update upon my return.

Be safe everyone

StationKATE

Cone Peak Flames

This afternoon, I noticed smoke plumes coming from the north east, which worried me a bit. I kept trying to get information online, but nada.

About 8:30 pm, Kimball calls me about what he’s seeing in the thermal images around the upper reaches of Cone Peak Rd. He sends me a thermal, and it does not look good. I look on his website (http://www.surcoast.com/fire.html) and view a thermal he uploaded at around 4, and then another around 8:30. This was spooky, as it showed considerable growth.

I called OES, 4 times, before I got any information I considered even half-way reliable. Eventually, what I was told was that what I was seeing was a 500 acre “slop-over” from the Indians. The USFS is aware of it, and has people there. It did get some air attack this afternoon. According to firefighterblog.blogspot.com, IC Mike D. is expecting it to reach N-F Rd in 24 hours.

Tonight, at 11 pm, I could see the glow of the flames east of Cone Peak. Of course, in the dark, it looked large to me. At midnight, I could see nothing. Whether that was due to smoke, control or any other factor, I have no way of knowing.

As most of us up here know, today there was a strong wind out of the north, very high temperatures, and low humidity. A perfect storm.

Tassajara update: Fire went right through the Zen Center. Lost the birdhouse, the bathroom by the pool, and some of the lower garden, but the rest survived in tact, and all 5 people who stayed behind to save the Zen Center survived as well. A great save by 5 courageous and dedicated people. Congratulations!!

StationKATE

So, keep an eye out. It’s not over, yet.