Categories: 2014 Fire Season

Upcoming fire season

From Cheryl Goetz, Fire Chief, Mid-Coast Fire Brigade

Last week I attended the Annual Pre-Fire Season meeting and it was enlightening on how serious of a threat the United States Forest Service and Cal Fire are anticipating. Both agencies related that the conditions of this year have set us up for a repeat of the 2008 fire year (Basin Fire) with multiple large fire burning across the state and competing for limited resources. Cal Fire has already staffed engines and brought air tankers on contract which is unprecedented.

Fire Danger: 1,040 fires have been reported across the state since January 1, burning 2,393 acres.
This year’s fire activity is well above the year-to-date average of 428 wildfires, burning 1,179 acres.
87 new wildfires were reported over the past week, most of which were kept small due to additional firefighters, fire engines and firefighting aircraft added during this dry winter.

As you will note from the above graph (the Rim fire was still in progress, and eventually ended up in the number one spot for largest fire in CA history) three of the largest fires were started by lightning in June of 2008, including our own Basin Fire.

bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

View Comments

  • Was very surprised to see all the fire rings on Naciemento and came up
    one night last week with a pretty large fire in one with sparks pouring toward the forested ridge. Stopped and told them we were all on edge about fires. He pulled out a fire permit he had gotten online... was not from the area. I went into the station next morning at the top of Naciamento to ask about it, and was told... people make the rings as soon as we take them down and are unable to patrol the area... so I think we must...

Share
Published by
bigsurkate
Tags: Fire Season

Recent Posts

Happy Easter, 2026

Given the US situation, the economy, and the world situation, it might not be the…

7 hours ago

Remembering & Honoring

I am always grateful that I had him in my life for 36 years.

2 days ago

This Ain’t America

This is from a member of the BigSurKate community. She shared it with me and…

1 week ago

Sunday Photo

First Strawberry of the Season, picked yesterday:

1 week ago

Want to help the Tassajara Zen Center? Here is how

To our beloved community, Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and care…

1 week ago

No Kings Day Big Sur

In case you missed it a few days ago when I posted the MoCo protest…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.