8/15/16 –
5:00 pm – 50 acre spot fire on West Side of Lake
7 am – 4300 acres and 10% containment. Here is John Chesnut’s MODIS map of the Chimney Fire:
8/14/16 –
5:45 pm by Bill Mortiz
Today around 3 pm from Cambria by Joan Schlicher. Rocky Butte is on the right. Looks like a nuclear explosion.
3:25 – right now, photo by Michael Handy:
3:00 pm – SLO County Offices of Emergency Services says the fire has quickly exploded and those in the Tri-County and Cal Shasta area are to evacuate immediately. Those who can not get out of the area are to go to water’s edge where the SLO County Sheriff’s will be launching boats for evacuations.
10:30 am –
8:00 am – acreage updated to 1450 acres, 10% containment.
6:30 am – Chimney Fire is now 1000 acres and 10% contained. Here is the most recent MODIS from John Chesnut:
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9:pm – latest update is 850 acres, back burns initiated and going well, VLAT photo by Rick Modlin:
Here’s an aerial:
5:10 pm – AA says multiple spots up to a mile ahead of the main fire are starting to take off, fire now 350 + acres, now 450 acres. BTW, it is 107 by the Paso Airport, so it will be about the same here.
5:00 pm – As if my life wasn’t busy enough – this is a lot of fun … A fire just broke out ESE of me on the West side of Lake Naciemento. It is 100-200 acres and moving fast. It is on Chimney Rock RD. Near Running Deer Ranch, which is being evacuated. 5 tankers assigned at this point. This could get interesting – one to the north west of me and one to the south east. Hmmm…Here is what it looks like.
Currently there are both ground units and air tankers on this fire. “Approx 2 acres…
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That looks all too familiar. I hope they can stop this one early!
Oh, Kate😞
Who is AA?
AA is Air Attack...that is the one in charge of directing the tankers and keeping an eye on things.,
I'm taking tonight off and visiting my friend in los Osos tonight, I get to Paso Robles and see the header from this fire. I look up and there's a small Cal fire plane flying over me ready to hit it. They have six planes in route right now and one VLAT. seems like this damn fire is following me.
If this thing takes off, it'll will be serviced out of Greenfield crews.
In 15 minutes my team is already mobilized to get additional breakfast down if needed tomorrow morning and hydration. We will be ready if Crews increase.
This is another bad area of thick brush and bad access with lots of homes through out.
Kate...how far from you is this Chimney fire?
It on the other side of the Santa Lucias so still quite a ways. I can see Lake San Antonio from here, but not Lake Nacimiento, which is just south of LSA
bigsurkate
While the Cal Fire Paso Robles Air Base is near, a lot of their planes aren't.
One would think (hope!) that with the Soberanes Fire in "their backyard" that they would prepare/protect their property. Don't think there can be a bigger HINT!
Paso' S tankers haven't been flying the Soberanes, at least today. They sent 7 from Paso already.
bigsurkate
I wonder how this fire started? Human? If so, I hope they catch 'em and put his feet to the fire, literally...
Not even speculating yet, it's only been an hour and a half. Trying to get the resources needed to protect lives.
bigsurkate
So...you're not seeing the smoke from the Chimney Fire, Kate?
Oh, no, I'm seeing a lot of smoke from the Chimney.
bigsurkate
Kate--So very sorry to hear this news of the new fire and increased danger for you and all concerned. Your blog has been a priceless source of information, for although now in Louisiana, my roots and friends are in Monterey-Carmel-Big Sur. This news also falls close to home, and I can't thank you enough for getting the word out. My aunt and uncle live near Nacimiento and our family cabin at the lake is accessed through Running Deer. I pray the new Chimney Fire and the Soberanes Fire will not overtake more residences, business or individuals. Bless you and thank you. If I hear anything from family in the area, will let you know.
Running Deer and Chiomney Rock are under evacuation orders. Haven't been able to get thru the fire to notify some residents, but don't know which ones. I'd be concerned about your aunt and uncle.
From Twitter: SLO County OES Verified account @slocountyoes 43 minutes ago #ChimneyFire: Shelter location PENDING OPENING: Flamson Middle School at 24th St & Spring St in Paso Robles. Red Cross staff on the way.