It is being reported by a north coast friend that there is a new fire at Apple Pie/Captain Cooper School. For goodness sake, what is left to burn???

From Debbie at Blaze Engineering: “Did you hear about our new fire up here?  Bombers flying overhead as I type.  It’s in some pine trees not far from Captain Cooper School.  Martha Karstens hiked in after it was reported.  Must be 100 degrees there.  Geez.  Lots of bombers now.”

I am hearing (but have not confirmed) that it was only 2 acres.

Gosh, Martha and the rest of the BSVFB must be EXHAUSTED!! I am, and I’m only reporting, not fighting fires!!

Dear Lord: Make it go away!

4:00 pm – just spoke with Paula Martinez, USFS PIO, ret. Anticipating road will be closed for a couple days while fire burns out, and rocks stop falling. Originally, it would have been approximately five days, if they had left the fire to burn out on its own, in terms of threat to the highway, so they decided to speed it up by doing a burn-out operation. Decision made this afternoon. The idea is to speed up the process, in order to get Highway One open as quickly as they can.

6:00 pm – Cal-Trans is reporting they hope to have the road open by tomorrow, Friday, evening.

If you would like to see some great photographs Connie McCoy took, please see my prior report on today. They are well worth your time.

As for me, looks like I might get to bed before midnight, as I have finished this horrific brief I have been frantic about since Tuesday. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even get to watch a little television! That’s certainly been a novelty for me, lately.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008, 8:30 am.GOOD MORNING! See Connie’s amazing photos below!!

Here are a few photos of the situation I took around noon today. I ran out of cigarettes, and have a LONG night ahead of me, so had to go down the coast. And, of course, once down, I had to get as close to the fire as they would allow. Moth, I guess. They are not letting anyone through, even locals, so far. I spoke with the USFS PIO, Rick, and this was Cal-Trans’s call. He thinks it will be open in the morning, but I would check both Cal-Trans and CHP sites for verification before starting on what could be a very long detour. The USFS wanted to keep it open. It is burning down to the highway on some very rocky slope, so I can understand the concern. 

                                                                  bigsurkate

This was taken just south of Mill Creek. You can see Limekiln Bridge on the far left, and the trail of smoke, right on the highway. I have a closer shot of that fire right up to the highway from a different point of view.

                                                                    bigsurkate

The highway cuts across right below that flame. This is south of Limekiln, and clearly 100% slope, so nothing to do but let it burn, and it is burning with low intensity, so that is a good thing.

                                                                    bigsurkate

This is a closer shot of the flames further up. Robert and I stood on the side of the highway here and watched these trees go off. No winds, so should just burn itself out.

9:45 am – Most recent CHP info seems to indicate road to be closed all day, and will be reevaluated tomorrow morning. 

9:46AM	PER 14,SO END CLOSURE IS NOW 1/2 NO OF NACIMIENTO FERGUSEN
9:13AM	WILL RE EVALUATE IN THE AM IF RD CAN BE REOPENED
9:13AM	PER S2 AT OFC,FULL CLOSURE THRU DAYBREAK TOMORROW
8:37AM	1039 BRAD, LSNF W/CLOSURE
8:37AM	PER 14,OTHER CLOSURE IS JSO LIME KILN STATE PARK
8:32AM	CAN WE CLARIFY THE SOUTH END CLOSURE
8:31AM	LUCIA LODGE CLOSURE WOULD BE NORTH END
8:29AM	PER 22,VIA LL,CLOSURE MOVED TO LUCIA LODGE SO VEHS CAN TURN AROUND
8:25AM	CHALK FIRE, PER CFIRE
7:10AM	ROCKS FALLING IN AREA AND TRAFFIC BACKING UP
6:34AM	PER LOG 55, DOT HAS A HARD CLOSURE AT THIS LOC AS OF 2002 HRS

I am keeping last night’s post going so more of you have a chance to see last night’s photos from Connie McCoy. Lots of smoke and significant plume at Limekiln this morning. Please scroll down the see the incredible shots Connie McCoy took of the fire at Limekiln last night around 9 pm.

This morning’s USFS report indicates acreage up to 16,094, containment at 89%, personnel at 732. “Current Status:  Very little fire activity was observed overnight especially in the Limekiln State Park and Hermitage areas.  Firefighters will continue to improve containment lines and begin mop up efforts today in these areas.   Rolling rocks and debris caused the closure of a two-mile segment of Hwy 1 last night in the fire area.  Caltrans expects to reopen the highway later today.”  HUH?? From Connie’s photos, it looks like Limekiln was VERY active last night!

And here are a couple more from Connie that she took this morning. Awesome, aren’t they? Wish I could drag myself away from a brief due tomorrow to also take some shots!

                                                                     Connie McCoy

                                                                     Connie McCoy

10/23 8:30 am – CHP website reports:

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
7:10AM	ROCKS FALLING IN AREA AND TRAFFIC BACKING UP
6:34AM	PER LOG 55, DOT HAS A HARD CLOSURE AT THIS LOC AS OF 2002 HRS               Cal-Trans website reports same as last night: [IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]      IS CLOSED FROM 2 MI SOUTH OF LUCIA TO LUCIA (MONTEREY CO) – DUE TO   A WILDLAND FIRE – MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

10/22 9 pm -Due to rolling debris, the fire, and rock slides, Cal-Trans is reporting Highway One closed from 2 miles south of Lucia to Lucia tonight. I suspect they will be out around 6:30 or so to clean it up, and hopefully, get the road back open. Sounds like it is between Limekiln and the Hermitage, where the burn out operation has been taking place the last couple of days, to me. Jon Michael did note a lot of looky-loos on the highway around 2 pm this afternoon.

Well Connie McCoy came through the “road closure” after about 8:30 pm, and the fire personnel knew nothing about a closure. Maybe that is why CHP took it off their website, but Connie sent me some spectacular shots. Since it is almost midnight, and I really must have my first cocktail and only cocktail of the evening, and curl up in bed, I will only be posting one of the four she sent, but every one, including the one Robert took of her in the darkness of Limekiln bridge, looking into the flames, is spectacular!!

                                                                      Connie McCoy

I love the reflection off the water there. Okay, these are so good, I just have to post one more!

                                                                    Connie McCoy

Uh, oh. Midnight. I turned into a pumpkin, again.

Good night, all.

 

Quite a plume coming up from behind Limekiln this morning. Unfortunately, my camera battery is dead, so I either have to find my back-up (in Jeep?) or get this one charged. I’ll post a shot when I have a shot.

Winds still quite active this morning. They have been blowing all night long, up here On Top of the World.

This morning’s update from the USFS. No change in acreage, containment up to 83%. Containment date still 11/1/08.

“Current Status:  The fire was active last night especially in the Limekiln State Park area.  Burning debris from above the marine layer is rolling downhill and igniting unburned fuels at lower elevations.  Crews will continue to work this area today.   Little activity was observed on the north flank during the night.  Crews and aircraft will work today to connect the dozer line and hand line from Twin Peak to Gamboa Ridge.

Today’s Objectives:  Overall objectives are to provide for firefighter and public safety, keep the fire east of Hermitage Road, hold the fire on the ridge south of Gamboa Ridge, and not to introduce fire, but allow natural progression of the fire in the Limekiln and Hare Canyon areas.”

There are a few other factors which are not provided to the public, but issued to firefighting personnel only in the form of a 209. This morning’s 209 adds some salient details to the above. 

The total acreage is 15,568. Projected incident movement/spread 12, 24, 48, and 72 hour time frames:

12 hours: Fire is expected to continue moderate interior burning in Lime Kiln Canyon. Fire also has potential for small roll outs North of Twin Peak on Gamboa Ridge. Growth potential to the North driven by terrain, low humidity, and rolling material.
24 hours: Fire is expected to continue moderate interior burning in Lime Kiln Canyon. Fire also has potential for small roll outs North of Twin Peak on Gamboa Ridge. Growth potential to the North driven by terrain, low humidity, and rolling material.
48 hours: Fire expected to hold on Gamboa Ridge.
72 hours: Fire expected to stay within containment lines.

32: Today’s observed fire behavior (leave blank for non-fire events):
Moderate interior burning with rolling material threatening control lines in Div A and Y.

38: Actions planned for next operational period:
Div Y – Mop up and improve existing line from Div Y/Z break to Twin Peak. Div Z – Hold and mop up along the dozer line that runs from the Y/Z division break to Highway 1. Structure Group – Protect structures in the Hermitage and Lime Kiln State Park.

42: Remarks: Block 43 Committed resources is not working at this time. Incident has added 1 USFS CRW1 for a total of 8 crews and an incident total of 674.          And here is the kicker: ” Growth Potential – High” Just last week, growth potential was low, then it was elevated to medium, and today, it has been elevated to high. The winds from yesterday and last night continue today, and are predicted to continue through tomorrow.

Uh, oh… Large dark plume coming out from behind Limekiln. 

Here is the current:

                                                     bigsurkate

 Also, Rick Lesser reported that the BSVFB asked the remaining skeleton crew at the Hermitage to evacuate this morning. Rick is down on the highway, and cannot get back up. He thinks several of the monks stayed behind, but has no way of knowing.

3:00 pm a report from the Jon Michael Cappadona at the Hermitage, with some photos attached:

“I just read in your blog that Rick is  unsure whether we are still up here at the hermitage.  We are still here, and feeling the heat, literally.

The fire quickly moved south and the west behind the hermitage driveway overnight and today.  The concern this morning was that the fire would pull a u-turn and start heading north and cross the driveway heading towards the retreat trailers and then on into the cloister.  Thankfully, the winds shifted onshore and things are looking much better from our perspective.

Attached are some pics taken today around 2pm.  I was able to get fairly close shots as the fire burned to the south of the driveway.  There was lots of sightseers pulled over on HWY 1 looking up.”

                                                 Jon Michael Cappadona

                                                     Jon Michael Cappadona

Jon Michael, thanks for the update, keeping all of us informed, and the photos to share with everyone. You would have no idea how many oblates are watching the news here, and praying for everyone at the Hermitage, and for the place itself.

One question I, and others have, is how many of you are up there? Also, I understand you have structure protection crews in place? How many, and who? Drop me and email, and I’ll post your response here for everyone to see.

6:00 pm – report from Jon at the Hermitage:

We received word this morning that the fire a some real potential of jumping the line to our south and east.  Luckily, it appears that imminent danger has subsided.  To answer your question:  there many many USFS engines up here (its difficult to say exactly because I know there are some engines in the woods to our northeast) and BSVFB was here this morning when it was most dangerous.

The hermitage crew rolled out our own fire hoses early this morning and strategically set them up around spaces we want to protect.  We’re definitely ready to protect this place if need be.  It seems that the worst is over, yet we’re leaving the hoses full and ready until we know for sure.  

 

Taken 10/21/08 at 11:30 pm by bigsurkate.

Good night, all.

See evening update at bottom of this post.

Here is the photo from the Hermitage from yesterday morning approximately 3:30 am that I was unable to post last night:

Thanks,  Jon Michael Cappadona who both took this, and last night’s two, and who teleported it across the canyons a few miles to Top of the World, via cyberspace. Sometimes technology is a great thing! Jon Michael said he would send more photos today, if the opportunity arose.

The fire is reported as 15,359 acres and 80% contained. (No change from last night’s report.) Costs are up to $19M. Whew, hope they catch the person who started this!

The projected fire movement is: 

12 hours: Fire expected to move across Lime Kiln Canyon and tie in with the Burning Operation. Fire is also expected to continue slow movement North of Twin Peak to Gamboa Ridge. Growth potential to the North driven by terrain. 24 hours: Fire expected to hold at Dozer line adjacent to The Hermitage Road. Fire is also expected to slowly move North of Twin Peak, to Gamboa Ridge. Growth potential to the North driven by terrain. 48 hours: Fire expected to hold at Gamboa Ridge. 72 hours: Fire expected to stay within containment lines.

I will post any additional photos I get today from the Hermitage, or from my view On Top of the World, if we get any decent ones. I am heartened to know that oblates from as far away as Austria, are following the situation with the Hermitage. (see comment on About BigSurKate)

Mark Readdie, of Big Creek Reserve reports this morning: “Three helicopters are looping to the ocean and back up to the fire. They are coming down over Highlands Ridge, right over my house in the canyon and picking up water at Oystercatcher Pt, Potter’s beach and Gamboa Pt. Then flying up Vicente Canyon. They come over about every 8-10 minutes.” Dr. Readdie’s Big Creek blog is linked in my blog roll to the right.

Inciweb was updated around 10:30 am, despite claims it would only be updated once a day, in the evening. This is a part of what is being reported:

“Continue firing operation along the Hermitage Road to the south. A coastal buffer zone of natural vegetation (minimum of 300′) is being left in order to protect Highway 1 from future winter storm activity. Contingency dozer line at the north edge of Lime Kiln State Park is being completed today. This line will protect the Hermitage and Lime Kiln areas. Preparation for possible burning along this line continues to progress. Approval received for the construction of dozer line from apex medi-vac helispot north to Gamboa ridge.

Hold the fire along dozer line adjacent to the Hermitage Road. Complete dozer line from apex medi-vac helispot north to Gamboa Ridge. Construct handline from Gamboa Ridge east to natural barrier at Twin Peak. Prepare dozer line in DIV Y for possible firing operation from apex medi-vac helispot west to Morning Glory. Protect structures in the Hermitage and Lime Kiln State Park. Monitor fire movement to the north of Cone Peak in order to protect line from Cone Peak to Twin Peak.”

Here is a photo sent to me this afternoon by Rick Lesser of the Hermitage. This is the Twitchell Flats line, going up toward Twin Peak.

This is what Rick said: “Here’s more for you if you can use ’em. I just came up the Hermitage road before  noon and took these shots from the lookout point. Twitchell Flats has a burn going west of the break the crews put in last week up to Twin Peak. Lime Kiln Canyon much less smoky than yesterday when they did the burn along the wide break above and east of the Hermitage that they’d first cut last June. The burn, well controlled, went all the way down the break to, and then below, our road. Crew members and captains all say the burn is going very well and as planned.

Thanks for the great job you’re doing for us all.
Rick Lesser” 

USFS EVENING UPDATE: “Today crews were challenged by three spot fires on the north flank of the fire, but line was completed around all of them.  The firing operation on the west side of the fire was completed today and crews now have the opportunity to build control line immediately adjacent to the fire.  At the lower elevation in Limekiln State Park, higher humidity has slowed the fire’s movement and crews are monitoring the fire’s progression.  Tonight crews will continue to hold and mop up any hot spots. Structure protection will continue in the Hermitage and Limekiln State Park areas.”

And here is one from the Hermitage taken today around 11 am, also by Jon Michael Cappadona. He says: “The attached images are of a fire moving up from Limekiln toward Cone Peak.  There was a lot of fire activity between Cone Peak and the hermitage driveway today, as well.”

 

 

 

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.

I am no fire expert, by any means, but what I witnessed today, the burn-out operation north east of the Hermitage really looked good today. I watched and photographed all afternoon, and posted a few of them to show what was going on today. Tonight, I post one final photograph of what the firing out operation looks like, and still lookin’ really good. The Hermitage is looking very well protected. As I said, I am not a fire expert, but I sure would like an “honorary” nomex jacket with bigsurkate on it. Anyone know where I could get one?

Tonight, the USFS is reporting the acreage has gone up, the containment has gone down, slightly, and as I posted earlier today, containment is not expected until 11/1/08 now. Here are the stats:

  “Chalk Fire Update – Oct. 19
– 8:00pm

  Fire Statistics
  Acres burned: 14,666
  Miles of fireline to build: 7.5
  Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
  Percent contained: 79%
  Expected containment: 11/01/2008
  Firefighter injuries to date: 17
  Structures threatened: 49
  Structures destroyed:  0
  Suppression cost to date: $18.2M

  Firefighting Resources
  Crews: 8
  Engines: 25
  Helicopters: 11
  Air tankers:  10
  Dozers: 4
  Total personnel assigned: 601

Summary: Current Status: The firing operation which started about noon today was successful.  Crews started from the dozer line approximately 2 miles north of the New Camaldoli Hermitage and burned south along the dozer line. As of this afternoon the firing had almost reached the Hermitage.  Crews will continue with the firing operation into this evening as long as there is still opportunity to burn.  Crews supported by helicopters and air tankers worked to hold the ridge NW of Twin Peak parallel with the Carizzo Trail. In the Limekiln State Park area, the fire is backing down slowly.

Tonight crews will continue to hold and support the firing operations. Structure protection continues in Limeklin State Park and the Hermitage. Cool temperatures and good relative humidity with light winds should result in minimal perimeter growth.”

First light visual indicates the thick marine layer present last night is still with us, which hopefully kept the fire quiet on the Western Front last night. No night shots last night, as the fire was burning on the north side of Twin Peak and Cone Peak. Of course, on the eastern front it has just about burned itself into the Indians, and on the northern flank, the Basin Fire. Morning thermals indicate no new hot spots. *sigh of relief*

Here is this morning’s “fire” shot. You can see the smoke plume coming from behind Twin Peak on the north-west side. I have also marked the approximate location of the Hermitage. I cannot really see it through the haze, even with my binoculars, and without my usual visual clues from Ruth’s house, I cannot be certain. You can also see the heavy dozer line above it and to the right. I have also marked Twin Peak, and Limekiln, which is tucked behind that ridge, and thus not visible from here.

Gordon from the Hermitage reports below in the comment section. I am hoping he will be able to continue to report on conditions there. As I wrote him, thousands are praying for the people who remained behind, and the physical well-being of the place itself. I have direct line-of-sight, as Michael will attest, having witnessed it first hand, and will be watching throughout the day.

Inciweb is reporting no increase in acreage, and no increase in containment. A portion of the report states:

“Significant Events  

Fire established in the West fork of Lime Kiln Drainage.

Planed Actions 

Prepare for Firing Operation from reopened Dozer line for the protection of Lime Kiln State Park and the Hermitage Monastery. Protect structures North of Lime Kiln and Hermitage. Monitor fire conditions North of Cone peak in order to protect line from Cone Peak to Twin Peak.”

There is currently a burn out operation going on behind that back ridge north east of the Hermitage. 

Here is the start of the burn out operation, from my perspective. The burn out operation is the small skinny plume in the center of the photograph. I am still trying to put Gordon’s shots in a format my programs will recognize:

From inciweb: “Chalk Fire Update @11:15am

Crews may begin firing operations this afternoon along an improved section of dozer line east of the Hermitage. Burning operations will begin 2 miles north of the Hermitage and continue to the south along the dozer line.” 

REVISED CONTAINMENT DATE: 11/1/08. Jeez…

I am busy watching the runs from the firing out operations. I have taken LOTS of photos, but I am too busy watching and photographing. The firing out operation seems to be going well, making its way down the inside the dozer line, making its way down into the canyon. Lots to see, lots to report, and I am multitasking beyond my abilities, considering the margaritas with the “ex.”

Gordon, from the Hermitage sent me photos taken around 1:30 pm from his perspective. While I can view them, I cannot seem to convert them from plaintext to jpg so that I can upload them. 

Here is a close-up of the burn operation. I wish I could get better shots, and I may have one or more. I have just been shooting all afternoon, and have to find which are best. Here’s one to start. So far, it looks like a great operation. Can’t wait for the night shots, unless it gets down under the ridge.

 

Here is a slightly better one:

Okay, maybe not better, just another view of the flames.

And here is another view of the line of fire going down from the dozer line. Lookin’ good!

Tonight’s inciweb report indicates the fire grew quite a bit, despite the 1/4 inch of rain, last night. It is now up to 13,410 acres. Also, containment has been downgraded to 80%. In 3 days, we’ve managed to go from 97% contained down to 80%. Chalk — the ever ready fire!! Movement is expected to continue in the Hare, Limekiln, and Gamboa Canyons for the next 72 hours. Most recent (8 pm) update indicates 6.9 miles of line to build. (Huh? Not 7?) Remember for days now, miles of line to build has been n/a.

Driving down the coast late this afternoon, I witnessed an odd phenomena. The coast was shrouded in fog. Out in the ocean, the sparkles showed me a small opening in the fog, from which the sparkles came.

To me, the interesting or more concerning bit of smoke is there, coming out of the fog. My guess is that is the smoke I photographed from Limekiln Bridge.

Another interesting phenomena tonight. This was a reflection of the already-set sun in the sky. The only thing I can think of which might reflect back like this is moisture of some sort.

If I can get a decent night photograph, I will post it this evening. If not, reporting will continue tomorrow.