Soberanes Fire, Day 17, 8/7/16 – Local Reports

9:00 pm – I am trying to catch up with my email, FB, Twitter, etc. after  a day on the road and the fundraiser tonight. (Sorry I couldn’t stay around, it was way too crowded and way to loud for this gal.) I had hoped to meet some of you, but it just wasn’t to be. There is so much to say, and do, and be, but after 17 days, I am tired … As we all are. I don’t hold the title to that, we do. The battle is not over, in fact, in some ways, it has just begun for Big Sur, and I need to get up to fighting speed and strength again. I may not wake at 6 am tomorrow, as I am no longer at home with the early dawn of elevation looking down on me and nudging me toward wakefulness. I am in unfamiliar territory where my exhaustion may win. Rest, but be ever vigilant, as this monster does not want to let go.

Sikorsky @Rancho Grande by Heather Foster:

Evacuation of Big Sur clarification:

2:30 pm – Scott Moffatt has some incredible photos of the progression of the fire starting at 4 am.

Scott Moffatt Photos

1:30 pm – drove through the entire length of Big Sur this morning. It was so smokey, I couldn’t see much of anything. ALL the businesses were closed, from Deetjen’s to River Inn, but the tourists were flocking through. There was little police presence, only at Sycamore’s Hard Closure. Tourists were tearing down the yellow tape all over JPBurns, but I saw no one of authority.

That makes perfect sense … Keep the people out who know the area and know how to be safe, who have lived through numerous wildfires, and let the clueless tourist wander about with abandon.How was this for the local’s safety, again? What am I missing here? In what uninverse is a wildfire safer for the clueless than for the experienced?

12:30 pm – just had lovely lunch at Sur. When I get settled in up here I will tell you my observations driving through Big Sur.

This is Stan Russell and appears to be the “party line” and not what I am hearing or observing. “The evacuation notice issued last night was issued because a 40 MPH wind kicked up and pushed the fire over the dozer line. The slop over fire was a 100 acres. This is the main fire that made the run.

Operations today; they are burning off the dozer lines – back firing. The operation is going well. (Really??)

They will have full air support as soon as they can fly safely. They also have portable fire retardant stations to load up the helicopters.

They weren’t able to back burn the area behind Mount Manuel yesterday.

There will be Public Information Officers posted today at Big Sur Station, Post Office area, Big Sur Bakery, Fernwood Resort, Nepenthe, Ripplewood, and I recommended posting one at the River Inn which he said he would do. They will have sandwich boards with maps and be able to answer your questions.”

At this point the Sheriff’s Department is NOT closing Highway 1, which makes no sense. As one business manager says, “The tourists are allowed in but owners and workers aren’t?”

7:00 am – from Ken Wright who says flames are visible in the north fork of Juan Higuera

7:00 am – From Jen Smith on Clear Ridge

7:00 am – From Ed Van Weijen on Clear Ridge

7:00 am – For all of those asking if Highway One is open — I don’t know, yet, but PLEASE, if you don’t have any business being down here, don’t come. All businesses have been evacuated and are telling employees not to come to work. We don’t need any more gawkers. AND just got word it is expected to close this am at Bixby Bridge.

6:45 – Dawn on Mt Manuel from Pfeiffer Ridge by Kyle Evans

6:30 am – by now, all of you have heard of the evacuation order for Big Sur Valley from the Lighthouse to just north of Deetjen’s, both sides. I will be following developments throughout the day, however, I will be heading out the door at 8:30 am into cell phone no-man’s land for a while. When I have reception again, I will check in. This is my day to go north to Monterey for a couple days of R&R. (LOL, as if) but will be online on and off.