While I was at the meeting, Gordon McKendry had three photos sent to me that were taken from the Hermitage early this morning, around 3:30 am and later this afternoon. THANKS GORDON, and Jon Michael C who sent them on. These are truly spectacular!! Unfortunately, the one with the cross silhouetted against the fire, came through as “null.” Whatever that means, but the two below are still outstanding!!

Oh, and Gordon wants everyone to know, the fire was NOT as close as it looks in these photographs.

Chapel Fire

Driveway Burn

And as I drove by to check on the Hermitage after the meeting, I found this at the bottom of the highway. I could see, but not get good photographs, of the fire trucks on the road up to the Hermitage.

And here is the view of the firing operation from On Top of the World:

And finally, tonight’s update.

 

Fire Statistics   Acres burned: 15,359 Miles of fireline to build: 7.5  Date started: 9/27/08 (evening) Percent contained: 80% Expected containment: 11/01/2008    Firefighter injuries to date: 17 Structures threatened: 49    Structures destroyed:  0 Suppression cost to date: $18.8M

Firefighting Resources   Crews: 6 Engines: 28 Helicopters: 12    Air tankers:  10  Dozers: 5 Total personnel assigned: 633

Current Status: The firing operation along the pre-existing dozer line just east of the Camaldoli Hermitage, continued today as planned and was very successful. As of 6:00pm this evening, the firing was down to about 200 feet from Highway 1. In the Limekiln State Park area, the fire continues to back down slowly.

In the northern peak of the fire, permission was requested and granted by the USDA Forest Service Regional Office to allow a dozer line to be constructed in the wilderness. This request was made in order to tie in the upper portion,   where the firing operation began, continuing in a northeast direction along a ridge ahead of the fire and tying into the Gamboa Trail. The dozers successfully completed the line at 6:30 this evening.

Tonight crews will continue to hold and support the firing operations. Structure protection continues in Limeklin State Park and the Hermitage. Firefighter and public safety continue to be the highest priority.

That’s it for tonight, folks. I’m going to have dinner, enjoy a glass of wine, and watch a movie. Have a good evening!

MEETING TONIGHT: 4:30 pm at Community Center. USFS, BSVFB, and others for update and management issues relating to the Chalk Fire. NO LONGER a BAER meeting. I need to have coffee and start generator before I can post more for today’s update. I’ll be back….

There isn’t much to see or photograph today. It is VERY smoky. Perhaps it will blow out later and I can see what is going on. I will post updates as soon as they become available. Also, see new thermals uploaded by Coast Communications.

Inciweb finally updated around 9:45 am.  Acreage is only up to 14,865, but listen to what else USFS is reporting:

“Fire Behavior  

Moderate fire behavior observed over night. With continued creeping through fine fuels. Heat concentrated from the Twin Peak area.

Significant Events 

Continue Firing and Holding Operation along Hermitage Road. Prepare Dozer line for possible Firing Operation from Div Y/Z break West to Morning Glory. Monitor fire movement to the North of Cone peak in order to protect line from Cone Peak to Twin Peak.

Planed Actions 

Continue Firing and Holding Operation along Hermitage Road. Prepare Dozer line for possible Firing Operation from Div Y/Z break West to Morning Glory. Monitor fire movement to the North of Cone peak in order to protect line from Cone Peak to Twin Peak.”

Sorry, folks. I can hear tankers, but I cannot see anything due to smoke. Even Prewitt Ridge is hidden from my view this morning.

11:30 am. Just called the new hotline number, and spoke w/ Helen Target (?) USFS, PIO. They are very optimistic about the firing out operation and how it is going. The operation is NOT going on from the Hermitage Rd., as reported on inciweb, but continues from the dozer line I was watching all afternoon, yesterday. They are re-opening the dozer line on up to Morning Glory as a contingency, but at this time, they don’t think they will need to use it. NO new evacuation watches or warnings have been issued since Friday. Sounds like it might be a good day on the Chalk Fire, even though I am sitting up here blind!

Gordon reports from the Hermitage, that the southern end of the dozer line does hook up with the Hermitage Road, and that it has been very exciting there today. He hopes to be able to send me some photos to post. I will post them when received, taking into account this afternoon’s meeting.