Categories: 2015 Fire Season

Tassajara Fire Update #2, 9/20/15

2:30 pm update – “At last check, Cal Fire reports that over 600 personnel are currently working on the Tassajara Fire. It is a massive effort. Crews are working hard to ensure the fire does not cross Carmel Valley Road.” Cachagua Fire

Morning briefing

Update from duty officer chief Owens, Cal Fire’s onsite duty chief as of 8am.
Tassajara 1200+ acres, 10% containment, burning actively SE. 10 homes and numerous outbuildings destroyed. 1 civilian fatality, treating as crime scene. Mandatory evacuation for tassajara from cachagua rd to CVR. Evacuation advisory for Jamesburg and Cachagua communities. Evacuation site is Carmel Middle School. 100 degree temp with 10% humidity, NE winds expected today. 1 mile from Los padres forest. Currently not under unified command. 5 tankers, 3 helos, 2 dozers and 2 hand crews. Retardant is encircling fire but no hose or containment lines.

CAL FIRE BEU FACEBOOK reports: 5 tankers, 2 copters, 35 engines, 7 crews, 3 dozers, 7 water tenders, 260 firefighters.

Cal Fire official Tassajara Incident page

Laureles Fire- 85% contained, 95 acres, 1 structure partially damaged. Containment hopeful by midday.

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.

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View Comments

Wally'n'cats says:

September 20, 2015 at 9:54 am

Thanks, Kate. It looked pretty severe, & so it is.
Holycowgirl says:

September 20, 2015 at 10:52 am

Thank you.
Shocking---fatality? Crime scene....is that where it began? to cover a homocide? Hope we find out more. Would suggest volunteers for animal -- pet and livestock sanctuary and transport if you can do it, maybe check w/SPCA over Laureles Grade. Sky mid valley is hazy, not thick, smell of smoke strong, sky blue no clouds, wind very low, temps rising.
- bigsurkate says:
  
  September 20, 2015 at 10:54 am
  
  SPCA is on it, helping with lg. Animal evacuations.
  
  bigsurkate
Holycowgirl says:

September 20, 2015 at 11:32 am

Told at Safeway mid valley from Cachagua resident/shopper and son: fire started to cover murder, three men, Mexicans, on the run, not yet found. Cachagua man, shopper, escaped with clothes on his back, the house is gone. Laureles fire started from trailer dragging chains that sparked.