Small Fire near Juan Higuera of no concern

UPDATE ON LAST NIGHT’S FIRE: According to my sources, the base of a redwood was on fire. The flames were 25’ in the air. Not certain if it was a camper or maybe struck by lightning over the weekend. Forest Service is there now. It may need to come down.

I got news of a fire near MM 48, and called my sources. It was reported to be on the east side of the highway, near or under a redwood. As of 7 pm, it was under control and no one was concerned about it. Our guess is that it was an illegal campfire that was reported. Someone trying to stay warm. Frankly, as wet and cold as everything is, I am even surprised it was reported. But there you have it, just in case you heard something.

Cold

This is this afternoon’s NOAA forecast (more of the same, and for longer than originally anticipated.)”SO AT THE VERY LEAST EXPECT LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS DOWN TO AROUND 1500 FEET LATER TUESDAY…POSSIBLY EVEN LOWER IN HEAVIER SNOW SHOWERS IN THE NORTH AND EAST BAYS. NAM MOS GUIDANCE IS PREDICTING FREEZING MIN TEMPERATURES RIGHT TO THE IMMEDIATE COASTLINE BY THURSDAY MORNING.” Winter weather advisory issued. Oh, joy!

At noon today, the outside temperature here is 42 degrees. Another .20 inches brings the season total to 7.4″. I shiver to think what it was at 6 am! Slight showers have been present this morning, and could easily be this afternoon, as well. Yet another cold front is moving in this evening into tomorrow, and snow is expected in the Sierras down to 2,000 ft.

Per one forecaster: “Today’s upper-level charts indicate a southward flowing jet stream, stretching off the coast of Alaska all the way south to Baja California. This condition will allow very cold air to filter into the Central Coast on Wednesday. Morning low temperatrues may reach the 20s in the [Santa Lucia Range] by Thanksgiving Day morning.”

Oh, brrrr …. !

On another note: Audubon California is holding a contest for Bird of the Year and the California Condor is nominated. Cast your vote at the Audubon site here.