Have had company all afternoon, and continue to do so, so while I will check in before bed, I am taking the evening off.
7:45 pm – a wonderful photo from Pilot Bill taken at 7500 feet at 1640 hours this afternoon:
10:00 am – here is another photo of Saturday’s plume by Ana (Alva) Sargenti from her house on CVR:
9:30 am – here is John Chesnut’s map:
I don’t like that isolated little finger there directly east of McWay Rocks. Also, the weather and fire behavior predictions are warning of the potential to push toward The Coast Ridge containment lines. Not a happy thought. It does mean that the fire is less likely to reach Tassajara Zen Center, though. We will just have to watch the winds for the next few days.
7:00 am – here are today’s maps:
Soberanes and Chimney Fires are now only 35 miles apart, while Chimney isn’t growing anymore, Soberanes continues to do so. And here are the daily fire behavior and weather predictions for today:
5 am – Good morning! (I know, it is way too early) As of the latest IR Map, which was flown last night at 8:41 pm, this fire is now up over 100,000 acres – 100,428 per the map (which I will post later this morning) for an increase of approximately 2,000 acres on Sunday.
From the USFS Alaskan IMT – Here are some highlights from Sunday evening’s #SoberanesFire planning meeting.
• There were no spot fires reported across the Coast Ridge Road on Sunday.
• Expected north/northeast winds on Monday should slow the spread of fire toward the Tassajara Zen Center. (BSK note: doesn’t appear to have gotten any closer on Sunday. Dare we hope the fire with bypass the Center this time around?)
• A warming and drying trend is expected to begin Tuesday with temperatures over most of the fire ranging from the mid-80s to mid-90s through at least Friday, with little or no relative humidity recovery.
• Fire is now established in the North Big Sur, Willow Creek and Zigzag Creek drainages.
• There was active fire spread in the Pick Creek and Willow Creek drainages and in the vicinity of Black Cone Mountain, though it was much reduced in that area after a run to the ridge on Saturday.
• The fire has not crossed the Willow Creek drainage.
• Active fire above the Carmel River on the east side of the fire continues to decline with little significant movement noted in recent infrared flights.
• The Burned Area Emergency Response team from the U.S. Forest Service has completed its initial assessment in the northern portion of the fire and a preliminary Soil Burned Severity Plan should be completed by Wednesday.
• Quote of the Day: “The fire flexed its muscles last night and will continue to do so when conditions are right, and we will respond accordingly.” – Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team Incident Commander Tom Kurth about Saturday night’s flare up that resulted in a 2,700-acre increase.
Okay, that’s it. Back at a decent hour with the usual maps and notes.
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Thank you, Kate, for continuing to keep us informed, week after week. Thankful that the fire has seemingly bypassed the Zen center. Prayers for the folks there.
Argggh! For the time of day (5 a.m.!) & the current size of the fire.
I googled "visit Big Sur" and one of the few places there was any mention of the fire and closures was in the comments. No big warning banner front and center... nothing but "come and visit!". The search brought up not only big name travel sites but also what I would consider LOCAL sites. It is no wonder people are still coming and "surprised" when they get here.
In the effort to protect Big Sur and educate people, might I suggest we use the technology that is literally at our finger tips. (After all, you are on a computer, reading this blog) There was previous mention of installing cameras but that only deals with people once they are here. (And do you REALLY want cameras in your backyard? I wouldn't and once you let "Big Brother", you ain't gonna get him out)
Think like a tourist/non-local so you can figure out how to get your message to them. Updating websites is not that difficult. This will reach people world wide, not just at the trail head. I might start with a big picture of the destruction as the first thing they see on the top 10 sites that come up with a simple search. While I have no detailed, long term plan for this action, I hope that by putting this out there that someone will grab and run with it.
@Denise --- Although I agree with the spirit of what you're suggesting, I doubt that posting photos of the damage and destruction wrought by this fire are going to gain favor with the local businesses in the Big Sur Valley who count on the typically busy summer months to carry them through the remainder of the year. They've suffered enough already and only now are regaining lost ground as the fire continues to burn south and eastward. Now that the FS has officially closed the Monterey Ranger District and have posted signs at major intersections and at trail heads leading into the back country, let's hope that public adherence to law will be enough to stem the tide of visitor interest in the back country. Perhaps local merchants can post conspicuous reminders of the forest closure order and nicely ask their visitors to cooperate for the benefit of our lands and the local community.
The picture of the plume on Saturday says it was from CVR-what does that stand for and where was the plume coming from? With tremendous gratitude for all you do for all of us, Kate.
Amy Essick
Denise, I work at a hotel in CV and am continue to be blown away by the amount of guests visiting the area that have no idea that a fire is burning nearby :(.
Amy Essick - CVR - Carmel Valley Road
gogengo - Sadly - not just "guest". During the 2nd week I went into Salinas and ran into people that were unaware of the fire. Said he didn't watch the news. Didn't know until he tried to go to Toro Park and it was closed (fire command camp) Tried not to roll my eyes as I suggested he look at the sky and maybe smell the air... then maybe use that smart phone he had.
Did you google "visit Big Sur"? Ask because searches are influenced by user's previous searches.
Sheriff just drove up to tell us we are under evacuation warning here in Buck Creek (Esalen area). CHP says "Fire jumped the line above Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP."
Thats awesome news. Hi Kate I live up by Dolan creek and just wanted to thank you and the other people in the community for keeping me updated on this fire you folks are awesome. Thanks again Rick