Month: March 2012

Snow coming?

9:30 pm – serious, but short-lived downpour just a moment ago.

Also, 101 is flooding in Monterey County:
“9:32 PM 2 75B ADV NB AND SB LNS 2-3 FEET DEEP APPROX 300 -400 OF RDWY IS FLOODED
9:31 PM 1 EXTENSIVE FLOODING SB 101 JNO TUSTIN
Unit Information
9:31 PM 1 CHP Unit Assigned”

And this very telling, for me, NOAA forecast discussion just released: “SNOW LEVELS ARE FORECAST TO DROP TO 2500 FEET ON SATURDAY AND THEN AS LOW AS 2000 FEET ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. IF THE NAM AND GFS ARE CORRECT…THERE WILL BE LITTLE CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE HILLS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA (ASIDE FROM THE SOUTHERN DIABLO RANGE) SINCE LITTLE OR NO PRECIP IS FORECAST. SNOW IS MORE LIKELY SOUTH…IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES. ACCUMULATION IS LIKELY ABOVE 2000 FEET AND THERE COULD BE UP TO 6 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION OVER THE WEEKEND IN THE SANTA LUCIAS ABOVE 2500 FEET.

HEY! I’m above 2500 ft! AND I’m in the Santa Lucias. I might have a fun weekend.

5:00 pm – the mud, rock, and dirt slides have started in Santa Cruz County. This first one is on Empire Grade. No reports of problems at this point on Highway One.

THE FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE BAY AREA AROUND THE EVENING RUSH AND DOWN TO MONTEREY BAY TONIGHT. BEHIND THE FRONT MUCH COLDER AIR WILL RUSH IN HELPING TO DROP SNOW LEVELS TO UNDER 2000 FEET IN SPOTS (IN FACT IT WOULD NOT BE A BIG SURPRISE IF A RAIN/SNOW MIX GETS DOWN TO AROUND 1500 FEET). WITH THE COLD CORE LOW PROJECTED TO BE OVERHEAD EVEN A FEW WATERSPOUTS ARE NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION. SMALL HAIL IS A DEFINITELY POSSIBILITY DOWN TO VERY LOW LEVELS.

THIS FRONT IS FORECAST TO ARRIVE LATER THIS AFTERNOON IN THE NORTH BAY AND QUICKLY MOVE TO THE SOUTH ACROSS THE DISTRICT THROUGH THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT….HEAVY RAIN IS NOT EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN ANY ONE AREA FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. BUT EVEN A SHORT DURATION OF HEAVY RAIN WILL LIKELY RESULT IN LOCAL STREET AND HIGHWAY FLOODING IN LOW-LYING AREAS. ALSO…AREAS IN THE COASTAL MOUNTAIN RANGES THAT HAVE SEEN LOCALLY AS MUCH AS A FOOT OF RAIN SINCE TUESDAY ARE NOW MUCH MORE PRONE TO MINOR MUDSLIDE AND DEBRIS FLOWS…AS WELL AS RAPID RISES ON SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS…THAN THEY WERE EARLIER IN THE WEEK. HOWEVER…SIGNIFICANT HYDRO ISSUES ARE NOT ANTICIPATED DUE TO THE EXPECTED SHORT DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN RATES.

Obviously, if there is any serious snow that is photo worthy, I will post. For now, I need to bring in more wood, finish bringing things in from the Jeep, and otherwise get ready for what is coming.

Upcoming weather

This afternoon’s NOAA forecast discussion says Santa Cruz mountains are getting hammered. NEXRAD shows no rain for Big Sur:

.DISCUSSION…AS OF 2:32 PM PDT TUESDAY…STEADY RAIN CONTINUES TO
FALL ACROSS THE NORTHERN TWO THIRDS OF THE DISTRICT WITH THE SANTA
CRUZ MOUNTAINS STILL RECEIVING THE LION`S SHARE. THE SCOTT CREEK
AUTOMATED GAUGE AND THE BEN LOMAND RAWS HAVE BOTH RECEIVED THE MOST
RAIN WITH OVER 3.5 INCHES AT THOSE LOCATIONS OVER THE PAST 24
HOURS. AS THE RAIN BAND CONTINUES TO MOVE SLOWLY SOUTHWARD…EXPECT
THE MODERATE/HEAVY RAIN RATES TO CONTINUE IN THE SANTA CRUZ
MOUNTAINS OVERNIGHT…TAPERING OFF BY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL EXPECTED THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY…NORTH BAY AND
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: ANOTHER 0.5 – 1 INCH…SANTA CRUZ
MOUNTAINS: 2-4 INCHES…AND MONTEREY/SAN BENITO COUNTIES: 1/4 – 1
INCH.

THIS SYSTEM WILL FINALLY EXIT THE DISTRICT TO THE SOUTH WEDNESDAY
MORNING. THE NEXT ONE IN LINE WILL BEGIN SPREADING RAIN ACROSS THE
NORTH BAY BY THURSDAY MORNING…THEN SLOWLY SAG SOUTHWARD ACROSS
THE REMAINDER OF THE CWA OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. AT THIS TIME THIS
SECOND STORM DOES NOT LOOK TO BE AS WET BY THE TIME IT REACHES OUR
CWA…BUT EVEN SO WILL STILL SPREAD FROM 1-3 INCHES…WITH THE
HIGHEST AMOUNTS EXPECTED IN THE NORTH BAY.

A THIRD ORGANIZED SYSTEM IS PROGGED TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY THROUGH
THE AREA ON FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING
SIMILAR RAINFALL AMOUNTS TO THE AREA AS THE SECOND…WITH THE
NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS ONCE AGAIN EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THE MOST.

BY SATURDAY THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS FORECAST TO DEEPEN AND DROP
SOUTHWARD ALONG THE WEST COAST. THIS WILL USHER IN MUCH COOLER
TEMPERATURES AND CHANGE THE RAIN TYPE FROM STRATIFORM TO MORE
CONVECTIVE IN NATURE. IN ADDITION…THE POSSIBILITY FOR THUNDER IS
HEIGHTENED AS THE UPPER LOW CENTER IS POSITIONED OFF THE BAY AREA
COAST. SNOW LEVELS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO LOWER CONSIDERABLY…TO
THE 2000-3000 FOOT RANGE…SO SHOWERS THAT OCCUR IN THE HIGHER
TERRAIN COULD BE IN THE FORM OF SNOW.

A different kind of photo contest

Okay, time for a new header. I’ve decided on a different kind of contest. Everyone, even prior winners, can submit a photo to me, even if you have already submitted it before. Out of those, I will pick what I think are the top contenders and publish them. The ones I choose will be based on these factors: 1. Photo quality; 2.How well it both fits the size and look in the header constraints I have; 3. The uniqueness of the subject matter (must be shot in Big Sur); 4. How well it depicts Spring in Big Sur note this is the last, and least important factor). They must be submitted before 9 pm on the Ides of March, to me at kwnovoa@mac.com – email only. Once I post my choices for the top photos (how many will depend on how many satisfy the above factors), all readers will have a chance to comment on their favorite and provide the reason why. I will then choose the winner, considering the above factors as well as reader input. The winner will get a $50 gift certificate to the Big Sur business of their choice. (Rocky Point to Ragged Point) The winning photo will be given exposure until I decide to change it. Have fun, everyone! Remember the header constraints re size, which are posted at the end of the “Notices” sticky post on top. (760 pixels by 150 pixels)

Here are some samples in the correct size:


Some photos look good in this format, other really beautiful photos do not. It is easy to make your photo fit this format. In your photo program go to “crop” after choosing that, look for “constraints.” In the constraint menu, choose “custom” there you will type in 760 by 150 and crop it to size. In my iPhoto, I can move the crop over the part of the imagine I want included. Submit this “cropped” version to me for the contest. Good luck! Professional photographers, please feel free to put a watermark or copyright notice on your photograph. Since this contest, I will be the one choosing, it won’t be a problem for me, and will help protect your art.

Birdhouse Benefit

I have been trying to get these photos of River Inn‘s Birdhouse Benefit up for a week, but it has been a busy news week for the coast. Here they are at long last. Enjoy.

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Last night it took two hours to upload two photographs. Today, it took one hour to upload five photos. That is just the way internet works for me with cellular wifi. I am very portable, so during emergencies, if I have to, I go find a better signal.

Speaking of benefits, there is a benefit for Jeffrey “Wildman” Downs Saturday, March 24th, 2012 from 1 to 4 PM at Ripplewood. Jeffrey is the tenant from the Long House who got out with nothing but his dogs and the clothes he was wearing. Also, Jeffrey REALLY needs low-cost housing in Big Sur.

Fire Season, 2012

REMINDER: In 2008, before I ever even thought of blogging, our fire season started on April 17th, with a ten-acre fire just south of Esalen. My friend, and fellow blogger, Mike of firefighterblog wrote about it here.

This winter has produced little rain, and even with the rain expected this month, we are still considerably behind in our normal rainfall totals. That will translate to a very dangerous fire season, and one which starts earlier than usual. Remember, the Basin Fire started 6/21.

Even now, still in winter, we have experienced problems with “controlled” burns. Remember the one on 2/7 across the highway from Gorda Mountain? John sent me this photo, but it got lost in the shuffle, until now. Compare the height of the flames to the firefighter facing them. This started out as a controlled burn (on an extremely windy day – please take the time to read the guidelines at the end of this post regarding backyard burning).

Gorda Mountain Fire by John Galuszka

And Tuesday, when the Long House burned down? There was another incident of a controlled burn that was thought to be out on Lower Pfeiffer Ridge, but reignited two days later when the property owner had left. Fortunately a tenant was checking in on things up there. (As reported by Lee-Ann Acterberg.)

After the Long House fire, Cheryl, the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade chief sent out this reminder at the end of her report to residents in the area:

“Remember, the fire season is here … I can’t say it enough this is setting up to be a very long, very bad fire season … please do your fire clearance now … it’s too late when the fire is at your front door.”

Your Fire Chief
Cheryl Goetz

This was sent out at the beginning of the backyard burn season by the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade, so I’ve modified it slightly, but it serves as a good reminder until Fire Season officially opens, and ALL burns are banned:

Backyard Burn Season will end April 30, 2012 (if not before). As a reminder you must remember the following:

1. Burn ONLY on approved burn days. Call 800-225-BURN (2876) on the day that you would like to burn or after 3 PM the day before, to determine if it will be permissible to burn. Please call the fire brigade after you have determined that it is a permissive burn day.

2. As a courtesy to your neighbors notify them of your intent to burn.

3. Burn piles that are 4′ x 4′ x 4′ of dry material grown on your property, no manufactured, painted, or treated lumber, debris, plastics, garbage, tires, etc.

4. Clear a line down to mineral soil at least 18 inches around the entire pile. Have tools and water at hand while burning. You must be in attendance until the fire is out, and cold.

5. Burning Hours are 7 AM to 3 PM. Do not add any more material to your pile after 3 PM. The fire should be out before dark.

8. DON’T burn on windy days, even though it may be a burn day. If your fire escapes your control you will be responsible for suppression costs, damages, fines, and possibe civil liability lawsuits.

FiresScape Monterey’s Workshop #5

You’re Invited!
What: FireScape Monterey’s Workshop #5: Action Planning
Where: Big Sur Lodge at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park 47225 Highway One. Big Sur, CA
When: March 13-14, 2012
•Tuesday, March 13, meet at 8:30 AM in the Big Sur Lodge parking lot.
•Wednesday, March 14, meet at 9:00 AM in the Big Sur Lodge.
RSVP: Please RSVP by Friday, March 9th. Register online: http://firescape.ning.com or contact Mary Huffman: mhuffman@tnc.org

This is the fifth workshop in FireScape Monterey’s six-part series using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. This two-day event will start with a field trip to recently completed fuel reduction treatments in the Big Sur area. Indoor work will include exploring strategies and case studies related to potential actions that FireScape Monterey could work toward implementing in the future. Please join us!

Save the dates for Workshop #6!
April 24-25, 2012. Details coming soon.
What is FireScape Monterey? FireScape Monterey is a collaborative group that promotes protection of both life and property affected by wildfire and healthy resilient ecosystems through collaborative stewardship of the Northern Santa Lucia Mountains and the Monterey Coast. For more information, please join our website at http://firescape.ning.com. FireScape Monterey is one of 56 landscape collaborations in the US Fire Learning Network.

Long House Fire Photo

Sent to me by Tom Deyerle. He lives directly across the canyon and above the Long House, so he got an incredible view of the entire fire from start to finish. Thanks, Tom for sharing!

Long House Fire by Tom Deyerle

Here is a second one Tom took, one of the last.

Long House Fire #2 by Tom Deyerle

Netting Project tomorrow, 3/8/12

From Cal-Trans:

“Today’s Date: Tuesday, March 6, 2012
District:5 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (Bilingual) or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1 CARMEL TO CAMBRIA ROADWAY UPDATE

HIGHWAY 1 HELICOPTER NETTING OPERATIONS THURSDAY

MONTEREY COUNTY: Crews will be placing cable netting on the slope above Hwy 1, just north of Limekiln Creek, about 25 miles south of Big Sur, with the help of assistance from Aris Helicopter Services this Thursday, March 8, Caltrans officials have announced.

Work hours are from 8 am to 2 pm. Motorists can expect up to 30-minute traffic breaks/delays as part of the Rain Rocks Slope Drapery repair due to January’s slide.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.

For more information on Monterey County projects, call the toll-free hotline at (888) 836-0866 or visit
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/projects/. The public may also call the statewide CHIN at (800) 427-7623 for updates on current traffic conditions

Garrapatos Vegetation Fire

11:00 pm – this report just in around an hour ago from Bette Nelson. The house that burned was the Long House. It was occupied by the homeowner, Susie Barnett, and her renter Jeff and his 3 dogs at the time of the fire. Bette is reporting that the latest she heard was that it was probably started by a downed power line, not a transformer.

Also see the comment posted at 11 pm by Scott Bogen below, who is a volunteer Mid-Coast Fire Brigade member, who has first-hand knowledge of this fire and tells what he knows. Thanks Bette and Scott for bringing us all up-to-date.

Our prayers go out to Susie and Jeff and hope they can find interim housing and that Susie can rebuild.

4:30 pm – report is that the fire is out. One hour and 15 minutes – great job Mid-Coast Fire Brigade and Cal Fire!! Congratulations on a good save. I am very sorry for the family that lost their home, however. It was reported to me that it was from a transformer that landed on their porch. I certainly hope PG&E will be helping them rebuild!

4:00 – reports that a propane tank exploded, and that Mid-Coast and/or Cal-Fire are asking the CHP to assist in road closures. Unclear which roads at this time. Vegetation is reported at approximately 1/2 acre.

3:40: UPDATE: IT IS GARRAPATOS. See this comment:
Kate, The fire is in a house above us at the end of Garrapatos Rd off of Palo Colorado. They think it was from a downed transformer. Midcoast fire & Cal fire are on site. We can see the flames & smoke from our house which down in the canyon near the creek.
Bette Nelson.

Also reported structure fully engulfed and a second structure threatened.

3:18 pm – Structure involved. No further details. This is a call-out on the CB, so I have not confirmed information, yet.

If this is the real McCoy, winds will play a major role, as it is howling in Big Sur proper, as well as up here.

Catching up is hard to do, and I have announcements, reports, photos, up the whazzo to post.