Day: July 27, 2008

100% Containment!!

From the summary on inciweb tonight:

“The Basin Complex Fire, which started on June 21, was declared 100% contained at 6:00pm today, July 27. The fire has burned 162,818 acres to date; however, the final acreage will be somewhat higher due to the continued burning of islands of vegetation within the fire’s interior.

Approximately 560 firefighters are still assigned to the Basin Complex this evening, but heavy demobilization of resources is underway. Some crews will remain in the area to continue mop-up and to rehabilitate fire control lines and roads.”

Grouchy

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, between my gladly adopted volunteer duties as a communications facilitator, I managed to write 75 pages of briefing, and make 58 copies of same. What a rush!! Thank gawd it is done, until Tuesday. Tomorrow, I get to rush all this to town, where I get the privilege of paying for it out of my pocket, to be reimbursed at some future undisclosed time when the state adopts a budget. Oh, yeah, and did I tell you, as an independent contractor for the state of cali-for-nee-eye-aye, I get to do all this on my own dime until gawd knows when? And some of you wonder why I am a little grouchy?? Can you say “stress?”

Now, I have 3 days this week to do it all over again, then once more the following week, and then, I MIGHT just be caught up! So, if I have been grouchy, or brusque, or not having much tolerance for some of the bull shit I hear, you will understand why. 

This is as close as I am going to come to an apology, right now, friends. I just have to call it what it is, and be done with it. No time for much else at the moment. When my work load is manageable, once again, then I will be back to my sweet, understanding, compassion self. (Did I make you gag with that one?)

Do me a favor, okay? Don’t call me or email me about this *%$# meeting. Either be there, or express your concerns and interests to a neighbor who can represent you. If you want to be able to hear it, express your interest in doing so to that same attending neighbor.

Also, I got a copy of a “Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment — a 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy” from Kelly O’Brien which seems like a starting point for discussion, or the existing plan that the USFS has. If I can figure out how to post it on its own page on my blog, I will post for your review.

Laughter, jokes, and tolerance greatly appreciated.

Items of Interest

Kelly O’Brien is posting this morning about the formulation of a citizen’s group to help develop a plan for the mitigation of future fire damage in the Los Padres National Forest. Her contact information is below in this quote from her blog. If you wish to see the entire article, click on “fire lane” in my blog rolls on the right.

“If we as a community, formed a working group do study and understand the implications, options and limits of issues such as firebreak maintenance and periodic prescribed burns in the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF), AND WE FORMULATED A RECOMMENDATION from a citizens’ group, in the form of a report, to the U.S. Forest Service – LPNF, we could perhaps effect the way our “local” national forest is managed.

If you are willing to be a part of bringing together a community group, the goal of which, over the course of a few years, will be to recommend to the USFS – LPNF a Forest Management Plan that protects our local economy, property and the quality of our watershed, feel free to email me: kellyeo@mac.com or call: (831) 659-2320 or (650) 533-1010 cell. I’ll use what resources I have to assist in bringing together those who are interested in working together.

There is a precedent for such action, by the way, in Idaho, which I shall write about, here, in the near future. And, I believe that we have allies politically here in the State of California, who would support a sensible community approach develop from a citizens’ group.”

Kelly and I have been in communication this am, and she is coming to the 7/31 meeting, will record it, and cover it for KUSP with our permission and that of Bradford. I think that is an excellent idea.

Also, I wanted to let you know about a 5-part series begun today in the LA Times about the wildfires in California. Today’s article is about: Big Fires, Big Business — the costs of fighting fires. See:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fire-index,0,4857752.htmlstory