Day: December 19, 2013

Fire Relief Efforts

PERSONAL RELIEF FUND RECOMMENDATIONS BY BIG SUR KATE:

If you have housing, personal services, help with clean-up or the like, I personally recommend you to our local CERT chapter:Big Sur Cert and list them there. This site is tried and true, having been set up during the Basin Fire 5 years ago, and re-activated during any and all emergencies. If you wish to donate money, I recommend our local Coast Property Association again, they are tried and true and their Board of Directors has always worked tirelessly to help our own. They are efficient, organized, and help all deserving individuals and families. 100% of the money they raise goes to the sur-vivers. Beware of organizations or even the occasional individual with their own agenda. (Neither of the organizations listed below are included in that warning. The organization of the,efforts of both organizations Re spearheaded by highly respected locals, Sharen Carey and Ken Wright, respectively.)
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About relief funds: Posted by Sharen Carey
I have seen a number of postings regarding different funds for different individuals affected by the Big Sur Fire. While our hearts and prayers go out to each and every one of these people/families, I find it counter-productive to have multiple funds popping up. We ALL want to help those affected by the fire – and there are many, each with a personal and heart-wrenching story.

CPOA (Coast Property Owners Association) is collecting donations which will be pooled and distributed in the form of grants to those in need of assistance in the rebuilding effort. This organization has the list of ALL affected by the fire and will be distributing funds where needed.
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For those who prefer to personally drop off donations of cash or checks, Big Sur Health Center will collect and pass funds on to CPOA.

Having one organization collect and distribute funds will consolidate donation efforts and enable the distribution of funds in an equitable manner to all those in need. Certainly, you can request that your donation be used in support of a specific person or family, if you wish, but, in my humble opinion, we are all in this together and we need to coordinate our efforts in the best interest of all.

On behalf of everyone at Big Sur Health Center, I applaud the generosity of this community and I hope that effort, in some small way, will give comfort to those who have experienced loss in this fire. Our hearts go out to you all.
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BIG SUR FIRE FUND CREATED TO ASSIST THE BIG SUR COMMUNITY
Donations can be made to http://www.cfmco.org/bigsurfirefund

Monterey County, California — The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has created The Big Sur Fire Fund to assist the Big Sur community in recovery efforts from the 2013 Pfeiffer Ridge Fire. Donations to this fund will provide support in the aftermath of the fire. Grants from the fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies assisting individuals and organizations to meet needs as they arise.

“This is one of the most significant events to impact Monterey County in recent years. The fund at the CFMC will provide support to the Big Sur community,” said Dan Baldwin, CFMC President/CEO.

The CFMC has seeded the fund with a $10,000 grant and has waived all administrative fees so 100% of donations will be used for grantmaking. The funds will be used to make grants to agencies providing emergency assistance, health and wellness, and equipment, among other needs. The fund will provide a trusted repository for philanthropic assets to be directed specifically for this purpose.

Those wishing to contribute to the fund can visit http://www.cfmco.org/bigsurfirefund, mail a check to the Community Foundation for Monterey County, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA, 93940 “Attention: Big Sur Fire Fund,” or call 831.375.9712 Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 PM.

Pfeiffer Fire, Day 4 – Official Announcements

Pfeiffer Fire
Los Padres National Forest December 19, 2013 10:00AM UPDATE

Fire Information Phone: (831) 667-0951

Incident: Pfeiffer Fire, started on December 16, 2013
Location: Pfeiffer Ridge Area, Big Sur, CA
Agency Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service.
Cooperating Agencies: Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, CalFire, Monterey County Sheriff, OES, CHP, Red Cross, Cal Trans
Current Size: 917 Acres Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 79% Est. Containment: 12-20-2013
Current Resources: Crews: 31 Engines: 67 Dozers: 2 Helicopters-7 Air tankers: As Needed
Total Personnel: 1,007
Last Night’s Activities: Crews made good progress mopping up and strengthening lines in all divisions. Structure defense preparation continues as well. The expected strong winds accompanying the cold front moved over the fire about 10:00 pm. The stronger winds created a greater risk to firefighters from falling trees, so crews were pulled off the lines to safety points and the fire was in a monitoring status for the remainder of the shift. Scattered rain occurred over the fire area.

Current Situation: Today’s resources continue to improve, mop up and hold lines in all divisions and provide structure protection where needed. Also, efforts will be made to complete containment line on the north end of the fire’s perimeter to tie in remaining open fire line.

Damage assessment teams are going out today to verify addresses and fire damage, as well as damage to infrastructure such as power, sewer and water.

The demobilization process started yesterday for excess firefighting resources.

Weather: High pressure will build Friday through the weekend bringing a warming trend with temperatures in the 60’s and much drier relative humidity, near 20%-30%.

Evacuations: Evacuations of residences in Pfeiffer Ridge Community from Sycamore Road on the south to Clear Ridge on the north, to Highway 1 on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west continue.

An Evacuation Watch was issued by Monterey County Sheriffs for the area west of Highway 1 from Fernwood Resort to River Inn is still in effect.

Community Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 4:00 pm. at the Big Sur Station,
Highway 1, Big Sur, CA

Road Closures: Sycamore Road, Pfeiffer Ridge Road, and the road from River Inn to intersection with Pfeiffer Ridge Road. HIGHWAY 1 remains OPEN with delays. Between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Highway 1 will be one lane, while crews are working along the highway. Situational Awareness while driving is encouraged due to increase. BE SAFE!

Closures: Andrew Molera State Park is closed.

Evacuee Assistance: The Information Center established at Fernwood Resort by the Red Cross closed Wednesday. People needing assistance from the Red Cross should call 831-320-9989 or Big Sur Community Hotline: 831-667-2679, hours 9:30am-7:30pm, open through the weekend.

Pfeiffer Fire, Day 4 – a local’s perspective

7:00 am – I did not hit the bottom of my dirt road until after dark. I had wanted to get there before, but it just wasn’t in the realm of possibilities. When the fog swirls in the dark wind, bouncing off headlights, it can be treacherous. It was last night. What normally takes 45 minutes, took twice that. Visibility was down to zero in places. The damp fog still covers this ridge top this morning. I hope Pfeiffer has the same thing. The winds maxed out at 35 mph shortly before 6 am. They have completely calmed now, an hour later. I pray that the containment lines at the Pfeiffer Fire held, and containment is still at 74% this morning. I will check in with others and report back what I discover.