6:30 am = Day 9? Groan… Initial visual and weather. Cold, clear, and no wind. I have my window to the world back, and cannot see any plumes, at the moment. I’ll check again in an hour or so, and see what is visible and where. I’ve GOT to have a couple cups of coffee, first. Inciweb should report a pretty quiet night.
7:00 am – NO increase in acreage last night!! Still sitting at 12,168 acres. Containment is 37%, and all mandatory evacuations have been LIFTED!! YAY!! Evacuation watches still in effect. Growth potential has been downgraded from the “high” it has been listed at for 8 days, to “medium” currently. CDF crews have gone home, but engines are still here, personnel is down to 1253. All good news on the home front!
Of course, weather is heating up during the course of the week, so we are not out of the woods, but I do think the worst is behind us, and that the Jade Festival will be able to proceed as planned! Make sure you drop by the SCCLT Main/Information booth at the “front” entrance by the flag pole and say, “Hi.”
9:30 am – here is your morning visual, ladies & gentlemen. Isn’t it the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen? NO plumes!!
That is Cone Peak on the right, and Twin Peak on the left. There are still a contingency of fire trucks parked at the top of Prewitt Ridge.
10:00 am – the ex just called, and wants to be my driver, so I can go out and catch some “after” shots. Sounds like a good way to spend the day, to me. Despite rumors to the contrary (what WOULD the South Coast be without its rumors?) the ex and I are NOT involved again. He just likes to drive, get out, check things out, and right now, I am a good excuse! He misses being on the road and in the middle of the action, now that he is retired. The dozers are coming through here in the next hour or two, and will be “brushing” out Plasket.
9:00 pm – Tonight’s update:
Chalk Fire Evening Update – Oct. 5
Fire Statistics
Acres burned: 12,168
Miles of fireline to build: 21
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 37%
Expected containment: 10/17/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 11
Structures threatened: 9 residences; 15 outbuildings
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $9.697 million
Firefighting Resources
Crews: 22
Engines: 61
Helicopters: 10
Air tankers: 2
Dozers: 9
Total personnel assigned: 1,208
I will post more, when I know more, but I am probably going to take most of today off, coming back with reports around 4 pm. It IS a beautiful, sunny, Sunday! 😎
Kate! I can’t tell you how much your persistent fire coverage means to me! I attended PV school with Duncan and the rest of the graduates, and live on the North coast. You have the most detailed site I’ve seen yet regarding the fires. Its great to be able to check out what’s going on, and make sure my friend’s homes are ok. Keep up the good work, and many thanks to everyone who is busting ass out there in the smoke. See you at Jadefest!-Wendy Waters
Checking in. More great photos Kate. Also kudos to all the fire crews and friends that have helped to maintain the safety of the homes and outbildings.
You did a fabulous job of keeping all of us out of the dark. You are one of the heroes in this intense event. Take a rest, and know that you are a “gem” on everyone’s list.
-Captain Lingcod
Kate, I have loved your blog, I found it on day 2 of the fire off of wildlandfire.com
My other half is down there,and still is, so I love the updates on the fires, yours has been great with the photos and extra info that you dont get off the other websites! Great job with it!
A
NO PLUMES! I’m amazed and excited. Jade fest here I come. 😉
Dear Kate,
I just love your website and your dedication to keeping the world informed about your firefighting efforts accompanied by great photos. Throughout the days you made me feel confident the you would survive, not get burned out or harrassed by keystone cops thrusting there weight around as they did this summer on the North Coast, especially on Apple Pie and partington Ridges! Had there been the remotest hint of desperation in your blog I would have been there in minutes to help. I know how capable and determined the South Coast community is at surviving, taking of business and fighting fires. They were here helping on Partington when no one else would!
So thanks a bunch again for your great words and photos
Sincerely
Kevin
P.S. I may have some solutions to the Redshift nonsense..I dropped them years ago