I just went on WildCAD to check on things and saw that our local people were patrolling after dark last night and managed to find SEVENTEEN illegal campfires – four on Plaskett, and the rest on Nacimiento RD., South Coast Ridge RD. And Prewitt camp. Since campfires are now banned, if they gave out 17 tickets at $5000/each, that is $85,000 worth. It would probably fund two firefighters for a year, if we could keep the money. Regardless, that is 17 potential wildfires that were caught before they became an inferno, and this even with the Sherpa raging in the southern portion of the LPNF. Bob Baird, Forest Supervisor, Tim Short, District Ranger, Chip Laugharn, Asst Dist Fire Management, and our pals at PV and Nacimiento Stations, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to reading tonight’s statistics. I tried to copy and paste the data, but no go. Go to WildCAD-LPNF to view for yourself.
I love a happy ending. Dog owner found and put in contact with person who…
Date: July 17, 2026 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa…
Date:Wednesday, July 15, 2026District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz…
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Awesome! Keep up the good work!
i sure do thank you kate for all of the energy you put into your work that informs the larger big sur area. i especially thank you for the supportive connections you have both developed and maintain with all the various service organizations, public and private. i don't know of a more involved communitarian diplomat that has so much to offer. appreciatively, peter
Ah, Peter ... You just made my day! I made sure and sent a link to the 3 top USFS people for whom I have email addresses so they know how much we all appreciate them, too. It takes a village to prevent a wildfire ... Together, we can do it!
bigsurkate
I just got off the phone with USFS Captain "Doc" from the Nacimeinto crew to thank them for using their loud speaker to ask a slow poke driver to pull over for the other cars behind. He let me know they're patrolling in the evenings giving out tickets! I thanked him perfusely!
Kudos to the local crew willing to get out there and you Kate for all your vigilance!
If they can make money while suppressing wildfire, it's a Win Win! ----Thanks Kate!
Thank you Volunteers…find a way to collect fee for illegal fires
All of us who live in Big Sur are our own "first responders," be it medical, fire, or police. Fortunately, I have only rarely needed to invoke the police function, but medical (car crashes) and fire happen occasionally. In this fire season, we should all be very vigilant.
So, let us all protect each other by confronting anyone who starts a campfire. Be polite, but if they are not responsible, dump five gallons of water on their fire.