Month: October 2008

Emergency South Coast email list

I sent out a test message tonight to those email addresses I have. I have set up an emergency email list, called “Storm Watch 2008.” If you did not receive this test message, and you want to be on the email list, send me an email at: kwnovoa@mac.com with “Storm Watch 2008” in the title, and I will add your name to the list.

Unless it is an immediate emergency, this blog will still be the major source of my reporting of information. Also, for those out of the area who want to remain updated, everything I send via the emergency email list will also be posted here, so you will not need to be on the email list. Of course, you are always free to call me, too, if you are away from your email and want to check on conditions. Again, my number is 831-818-8026. If that number is ever out of service, for any reason (like the time I lost my charger), the voice mail will direct you to my other number.

Let’s hope this winter will not bring the dire predictions we are hearing about. OTOH, it is better to be prepared and not need it, then not prepared, and need it, as we all know.

I will be following the rain totals throughout tomorrow afternoon and evening. Otherwise, I’ll be home working. Have a peaceful, relaxing Hallowe’en, everyone! Remember, tomorrow night, daylight savings time ends. And with that, I bid you goodnight.

Storm Watch, 10/31/08

6:00 PM – Rain totals: .25 for storm; .50 for season. Tomorrow afternoon should be interesting, and I will report on rain activity as necessary.

NOON – Slight rain, on and off, nothing to speak of or even measure. Will continue to provide rain totals three times a day on the days when I am home, for those interested.

7:30 AM -Rain gauge total this am is .25 inches here at 3272′ in the Santa Lucia Mountains for the storm, .50 inches for the season. Very mild indeed. Still some wind, but pretty quiet.

Sorry about the fonts and spacing. Can’t seem to get it to change, line up, or do anything I want it to do. The information is there, it is just hard to read.

ICS being instituted by Frank Pinney, who reports at 7:OO am, including the weather predictions for our area:

ICS Core Group:
 
Below is the National Weather Service 
prognostication for today and the weekend.  
Note the potential for 3” of rain in the Santa
Lucia Mtns coincides with the number spoken at
the SEAT meeting Wed night by the forecaster. 
(Total up to 4” for the system)
 
Let me know by email now if you will be 
available Saturday for consultation by 
phone or email or both.  
 
I do not expect that we will need to convene 
at the MAF during this event, and it will be 
an opportunity to observe how information 
about the storm conditions gets to us and 
can be used to correlate what’s happening on 
the ground. 
 
Anyone have rain gauge figures storm-to-date 
from your location?
 
The period of most likely storm activity 
appears to be Sat PM into the evening.  I have
some of your cell # but not all.  Please send 
the number if you have one and we don’t 
regularly contact each other by cell.
 
Thanks for your diligence.  We will try to keep
everyone up to date on developments.
 
I take comfort in my Mom’s counsel, “Our worst
fears never happen.”
 
Frank
 
 
 
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CA
444 AM PDT FRI OCT 31 2008
 
.DISCUSSION...AS OF 3:57 AM PDT FRIDAY...THE 
FIRST WAVE OF SHOWERS HAS MOVED THROUGH THE 
DISTRICT LAST EVENING BUT ONLY DROPPED LESS
THAN A QUARTER INCH. THE NEXT WAVE OF SHOWERS 
IS CURRENTLY MOVING ONTO THE COAST FROM ABOUT 
SAN MATEO COUNTY NORTHWARD. KMUX IS
CURRENTLY SHOWING RESPECTABLE REFLECTIVITY 
RATES OF UP TO 40 DBZ WITH THIS RAIN BAND...
ALTHOUGH THESE REFLECTIVITIES ARE ALOFT...
AROUND 7000-8000 FEET AGL. AFTER THIS IMPULSE 
MOVES THROUGH...LOOK FOR A DECREASING SHOWER 
TREND THROUGH THE DAY WITH SOUTHERLY WINDS
DECREASING AS WELL. THE WIND ADVISORY IS 
CURRENTLY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6
AM...AND WILL ALLOW THIS TO END AT THAT TIME 
AS CURRENT WIND SPEEDS
ARE ALREADY ON THE DECLINE.
 
FROM PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...PERIODS OF LIGHT 
RAIN ARE POSSIBLE TODAY
INTO TONIGHT AS A MOIST SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST 
FLOW CONTINUES AHEAD OF
THE NEXT STRONGER SYSTEM DUE IN ON SATURDAY. 
RAINFALL ON FRIDAY AND
FRIDAY NIGHT WILL BE CONFINED PRIMARILY TO 
OROGRAPHICALLY FAVORED
AREAS (I.E. SOUTHWEST-FACING SLOPES).
 
THE SATURDAY SYSTEM CONTINUES TO LOOK STRONGER AND MUCH WETTER
COMPARED TO WHAT WE`VE SEEN THUS FAR SINCE 
THURSDAY. THE MODELS
AGREE REASONABLY WELL ON TIMING...INCREASING 
LIGHT WARM-ADVECTION
RAINFALL LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE BULK OF
THE RAINFALL IS STILL EXPECTED TO HOLD OFF 
UNTIL LATE SATURDAY
MORNING AND SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN THE SF BAY 
AREA...AND LATE SATURDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR THE MONTEREY BAY AREA. RAINFALL TOTALS WITH
THE SATURDAY SYSTEM ARE PROJECTED TO RANGE 
FROM 0.5 TO 1.0 INCH AT
LOWER ELEVATIONS...FROM 1.5 TO 2.5 INCHES IN 
THE COASTAL HILLS...TO
AS MUCH AS 3 INCHES IN THE SANTA LUCIA 
MOUNTAINS OF MONTEREY COUNTY.
THAT MUCH RAINFALL IS DEFINITELY A CAUSE FOR 
CONCERN IN THE BURN
AREAS...PARTICULARLY IF THE BULK OF IT FALLS 
WITHIN A RELATIVELY
SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AS OF NOW THE HEAVIEST 
RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO
FALL OVER THE BURN AREAS OF SANTA CRUZ AND 
MONTEREY COUNTIES DURING
THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS OF 
SATURDAY.
 
SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE FRIDAY 
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY
MORNING AHEAD OF THE INCOMING SYSTEM. 
LOCALLY STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS
ARE LIKELY AND WINDS ADVISORIES MAY BE 
NECESSARY.
 
IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE WEATHER PATTERN WILL 
REMAIN ACTIVE INTO
EARLY NEXT WEEK. RAINFALL WILL LIKELY TAPER 
OFF ON SUNDAY...BUT THEN
PICK UP MONDAY INTO MONDAY EVENING AS THE NEXT
 SHORTWAVE MOVES
ACROSS NORTHERN CA. THE MODELS AGREE THAT DRY 
WEATHER WILL RETURN BY
WEDNESDAY.

 


On Top of the World in the First Storm

Weathering a storm up here is always exciting, exhilarating, and adrenaline pumping. Winds up here have been recorded at 140 mph. Yup, Category 5 type winds. Those are the times when I cover all the windows, for fear they will blow out; when I cannot walk upright outside without holding on to a railing; when the trailer where I sleep is rockin’ and rollin’ to the sounds of Elvis pumping out the tunes in the heavens. My cottage is much tamer. But tonight, the storm is mild, compared to what I can and do get. There are winds, which will stop when the rains begin, but the winds are only in the 30-40 mph range. Mild for The Top of the World. The dogs aren’t freaking out — that’s a clue that this one isn’t bad, at all.

So, I’m settled in, my silk long johns as my pjs, the down comforter on the bed, the tv going, mostly as background, and a new scary book by Dean Koontz to see me through the storm. Plenty of food, plenty of gas, plenty of things to do. I always enjoy the first storms; the first snow; the first of winter’s slower pace. Ah, yes, I am ready for that slower pace.

Meanwhile, I will be praying for all my north coast friends, hoping this weekend’s series of storms are as gentle as can be.

Fires, Floods, Elections

While I have been paying attention to the election, my blog has not. Too many other things to pay attention to. But now, with the election just around the corner, and many of my lawyer friends leaving in the next few days to be impartial observers in key states around the nation, it is time to chime in.

I have very strong views about what is right with this election, and what is wrong. However, my strongest view is that we need the largest turnout in the history of voting next Tuesday. Everyone who is registered to vote needs to exercise that power and responsibility, please. It is important.

Also, several weeks ago, I discovered one of the most delightful blogs: http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com

Margaret doesn’t write, but Helen does. Helen is 82 years old, living in Texas, and best friends with Margaret for 60 years. Her grandson helped her start this blog a year and a half ago. She is witty, insightful, and opinionated. She has had a lot to say about this election, particularly Ms. Palin. If you want a good laugh, go see her blog. SNL, Rose O’Donnel, and many others have linked to her. I want to see her reach 1,000,000 hits by Election Day. She’s at 667,000 currently, so pass the word. You won’t regret it!

Oh, and she is listed in my blog roll to the right, if you forget how to find her.

First “winter” storm

10/30/08 – 10:00 AM

The winds here have really picked up. The Monterey Herald is reporting a chance of thunderstorms tonight, and again on Saturday night. Weather.com is NOT predicting such an event, but it IS predicting a wind event, with gusts up to 45 mph. Could be an interesting weekend, that is for sure! Hang in there, everyone, and above all, BE SAFE, especially my friends in flood-prone areas. Are you reading this gals?? You know who you are!! 

Also, please mark your calendars for two items. CPOA annual meeting on Nov. 6th, and a special art showing at the Hermitage on Nov. 8th. Details of both events are posted on the announcement page.

Dave Allen sent me the info re this storm that is coming. There are apparently two, one Thursday night into Friday, and a second, Saturday into Sunday. Small craft advisories have been issued. Here are the stats:

THU
 SW WINDS 15 TO 30 KT...OCCASIONAL GALE FORCE GUSTS TO 35 KT
 IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 3 TO 5 FT. MIXED SWELL NW
 2 TO 4 FT AT 11 SECONDS AND S 2 FT AT 14 SECONDS.

 THU NIGHT
 SW WINDS 15 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 3
 TO 5 FT AT 11 SECONDS AND S 2 FT AT 13 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY.

 FRI
 SE WINDS 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 3 TO
 5 FT AND S 2 FT. CHANCE OF RAIN.

 SAT
 SE WINDS 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING SW 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES
 3 TO 6 FT. W SWELL 5 TO 7 FT INCREASING TO 9 TO 11 FT. RAIN
 LIKELY.

 SUN
 SW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 10 TO
 13 FT AND S 2 FT. CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

Dave also sent me a satellite photo, but technical difficulties 
are preventing me from posting it here, so check out your favorite weather station.


Santa Maria is reporting that Thursday/Friday is not going to be much
but the Saturday/Sunday system might bring significant rain. Get ready,
boys and girls, this seems to be the beginning.

More Jade Festival Photos, 2008

And now, we get back to our regularly scheduled program, with more photos from the 17th Annual Jade Festival. The Chalk Fire gave us a break for the festival, and then came unhinged. I’ll be adding a few new photos to this post every day or so, until I get all the ones I want to share up.

Here are a few more photos:

My favorite sound man, Dan Singer

 

Shared Photos, the Hermitage

A couple days ago, Rick Lesser of the Hermitage, and Skee Stanley, of Cachugua Fire sent me some photos to share with my readers, but I haven’t had time until now (at 3 am) to post. 

First, Skee’s shot. This is a closer look at the Hermitage from a perspective only a dozer operator would have.

And here is one from Rick Lesser taken from the Hermitage Road that demonstrates that peace has again descended on the Hermitage.

 

Skee Stanley sent me some others, not of the Hermitage, that I will keep for the archives of the Chalk Fire. With rain expected this weekend, and the Chalk Fire finally contained, this momentous Summer of Fire is finally over. Fall has arrived, and with it, winter preparations.

I took a short trip to The City this past weekend, to present at a seminar for other lawyers. I drove out the back way (N-F Rd) as when I left Friday morning, Highway One was still closed by rock slides from the Fire. I came back via Highway One. These two routes have both been extremely impacted by the fires of this summer, and will present significant challenges in keeping them open this winter. So what has been a life-changing summer will segue into an interesting winter.

I plan on keeping this blog “alive” throughout the winter, to both document and record the antics of Mother Nature as she laughingly brings us together as a community, and yet separates us into enclaves without access.

At some point, however, I hope to redirect this blog away from catastrophe reporting, and morph it into something more uplifting and spiritual, to reflect the beauty of this place called, “The Big South.”

Say goodnight, Gracie …

Tonight, I leave you with a photograph I took on January 1, 2007. I call it “Fairy Habitat.” It is what I see and feel here on the South Coast of Big Sur. That magic that Mother Nature shows us, if we are paying attention.

At last, it seems as if the Chalk is finally done with the South Coast. We are 97% contained, no real growth to speak of, and I am just about ready to put this baby to bed … at least until winter rains. 

But before I do, I have a few last things to say, and one more photo to post, sent by my friend, Skee Stanley of Cachagua Fire. 

First, I want to say it has been an honor to be able to serve my community by way of this blog. With the Basin Fire, there were a number of people and organizations who were able to share information. With the Chalk Fire, not so many. We are few and far between down here. Despite that, we are close. 

So many people have visited this blog since the Chalk Fire broke out on Sept. 27, 2008, almost a month ago, and so many people shared information and photos with me so that I could share them with you. I was oft times just the conduit. I have tried to mention them in the body of my blog all along, unless they wished to remain anonymous, but this blog was truly a community effort. That community encompasses so many more than the few people who actually live here on the South Coast, as we all know.

Our BSVFB has to be specially recognized. These men and women are all volunteers who have families and jobs. Their abilities were tested to the maximum with too many fires to even list, if we go beyond the “big” ones. 

Our local organizations, CPOA, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Pelican Network, and others, showed their support for their neighbors to the south in so many ways. We cannot thank you enough! CPOA has been a moving force at raising money to support those who were affected by both the Basin and the Chalk Fires. 

And the firefighters … ah, the firefighters. These men and women, whether on the ground, in the air, or in engines, they worked all summer and well into fall for us. I feel a special kinship to all of them. They have always been heroes. I just feel the need to let them know, whenever and wherever I see them.

I ran into a fire fighter on South Coast Ridge Rd. yesterday. I was chasing him down, as he was driving a Jeep with Colorado plates, and I worried we had another ding bat in the closed portion of the forest. He got out, in USFS ff uniform, and I apologized and introduced myself. “I am bigsurkate,” I said. “Hey, my mom reads your blog all the time,” he said. And my heart jumped. I think I have connected to more firefighter moms and dads than anyone else, and to them, I say, “Your sons and daughters are a special breed. I know you are proud of them. We are, too.”

Dave Potter, our Monterey County Supervisor, John Laird, our State Assemblyman, and Sam Farr, our U.S. Senator, have all been instrumental in gathering support for our plight in the political arena, and we are so very grateful for your support and care.

The Hermitage and the Zen Center, have both been impacted, tremendously. They have lost most of the income which sees them through the year. They both have support groups outside this small community, and I know all of you are helping them through these tough times. Please support them in whatever way you can.

We will need each other again, as the winter rains isolate our 90 mile community into pockets. We are preparing for physical isolation, but we know we are not alone. We are part of a grander and larger community that will be there for one another. I have always felt as if Big Sur was a microcosm of the larger whole. We will have the opportunity to demonstrate that this winter.

Please support your favorite branch of the Big Sur Community in whatever way you can. 

And, here is another community “sharing” by our favorite dozer operators, courtesy, Skee Stanley. This was taken on Wednesday up above the Hermitage. You can actually see the Hermitage in a way *I* never have!! Thank you for sharing this, Skee!!

And with that…”Goodnight, Gracie.”

bigsurkate, signing off.

Road Opened, Closed, & open again!

So, what this tells me is that when Cal-Trans is working, dawn to dusk, the road is open. Once they go home at night, all bets are off, and you travel at your own risk. PLEASE be careful if you come through after dark. This is a highly volatile and dangerous situation!

Highway 1 is open!  This information came from Danny Milsap, Caltrans Supervisor for south coast, as of 7:35 AM this morning – Saturday, October 25, 2008.

Highway Closed again tonight until tomorrow. Another rock slide. So, boys and girls, this is a touch and go situation. 

HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH OF LUCIA REOPENS TODAY
MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans will reopen a three-mile section of Hwy. 1
between Nacimiento-Ferguson Road, about 27 miles south of Big Sur, and
Lucia, about 23 miles south of Big Sur, at 3 pm today, Friday, Oct. 24.
This section had been closed due to the Chalk fire since 7 pm on Wednesday,
Oct. 22. 

Provided there are no other fire incidents/adverse conditions, the road will
remain open but is subject to traffic control or closures if conditions
worsen.

Here are some photos supplied by Cal-Trans:

The Volcano!! Connie got a great shot of this the other day, but unfortunately, her computer ate it!

Look where the rocks are in relation to the yellow line!

And lookey here … we have fire sliding down onto the road!!

Kudos to Cal-Trans for sharing these, and for getting the road open today. Thanks, Danny, Richard, Angie, Phil, and Mike!!

And tonight, it finally looks like it is over. Of course, I remember I said that once before, but this time, I really mean it! Now let’s see if Mother Nature agrees with me!!

Here is part of tonight’s inciweb report:

“Crews will continue mop up and improve existing line along the Hermitage Road to Highway 1. Mop up around structures and improvements in Limekiln State Park. Begin to clean up and remove hose. The Evacuation Warning for Hermitage has been down graded to and Evacuation Watch as of 6:00pm tonight. The Evacuation Watch for the Harlan Ranch and Morning Glory area was lifted as of 6:00pm on October 23, 2008”

Chalk Update, 10/24/08, Day 28 & Winter Prep Meetings

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.