Month: August 2012

Wildfire near Gonzales

7 pm- Final count was 63 acres. Just got word from my girlfriend, Cheryl Harris, prior owner of Exotica, that 10 of those acres were on Jim’s ranch, where she lives.

4:00 pm- the fire made a run up hill. AT 81 laid down a lot of retardant, and it looks like they got the forward movement stopped at 50-75 acres. AT 81 is in load and hold at Hollister. Nice save!

3:30 pm -It is 30 acres near Iverson and Johnson Canyon, in MoCo. It is very hot up here, and probably there as well. The Salinas Valley consistently has afternoon winds. I will keep an eye on this. If I don’t update, it means the great guys and gals at Cal Fire jumped all over this puppy.

Fire Danger Weather

From my SLO Weather caster. Temps up here are usually comparable to North County.

“The story this week will be the impressive warming trend in
response to high pressure that will nudge westward from the
plains and the four-corners regions.

Consequently, maximum temperatures are expected to climb
even higher Wednesday through Friday.

Note: Relative humidity levels will continue to drop over
San Luis Obispo County; thus, fire danger is high.
Fire danger is expected to further increase later
this week and over the weekend.

Temperatures are expected to remain above normal with mid
100s expected across the North County on Thursday through
Sunday. Long-range models suggest the heat wave will persist
next week. A possible influx of monsoon moisture may move
over the San Joaquin Valley and perhaps San Luis Obispo
County next Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Isolated Thunderstorms possible

The National Weather Service predicts isolated thunderstorms are expected Saturday, from the late morning through the afternoon hours over the higher terrain mountain locations of Southeastern Monterey and San Benito Counties. Severe weather or flash flooding is not expected and any rainfall amounts will be light. These storms will be capable of producing lightning strikes and contain a threat of dry lightning which will increase the wildfire risk and pose a threat to any back-country travelers on the ridge tops. IMPACTS TO SOUTHEAST MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES HIGHER ELEVATIONS (2500 FT+)
Thunderstorms will contain occasional cloud to ground lightning strikes in the absence of rain which will produce elevated wildfire conditions. Deadly strikes will pose a threat to any back-country travelers in the higher terrain on ridge tops.

I’m southwest, so no lightning, right? Will keep you posted, as necessary, and be on lookout duty for the day.