Sunday morning, I went down the mountain to the coast to get my mail and saw people having a campfire. I didn’t think to get a photo of the campfire as I was completely flummoxed. I did report them to the USFS, as I found several at the station. So, on the way home, glad to see the campfire was out, I got photos.
They drove by this sign just about 100 yards before the area where they made camp. (Sorry for the dirty windshield, but that’s what happens out here.)
These were the two vehicles. Look at all that dry grass.
This shows their tents, the wood they had gathered for their fire, in the branch out in front of the orange ten, and the campfire was right on the other side of that large log, dragged out presumably to sit on. Again, note all that dry grass around their campsite.
This shows a whole lot of trash, which to their credit they did pack up and take with them, I am told. The two guys are watching me photograph them, and the two gals are to the right of them, shown in the next photo. Again, lots of dry grass.
Not wanting to be photographed, it would appear. Now these campers were polite and did put out their fire when I pointed out the error of their ways, and they did clean up their trash. But I still can’t understand why they felt it was okay to have a campfire when it was so hot and they were camped in the grass – regardless of the sign. I vow to have a dialogue the next time so I can understand the mentality, and maybe find a way to change that.
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Good work Counselor. I guess that is their campfire to the left of the tent in the second picture. Do you have other pictures that show the actual license plate numbers/letters?
Yes the dry grass is a bit terrifying. A tiny spark even from a properly cleared space for a campfire could easily start a conflagration.
Another point of danger. All modern vehicles have catalytic converters which get very hot. They have been known, especially if idling for a while in the same place, to start fires.
By zooming in, one can read the CA license. The other is not as clear. There are other fire restriction signs that tell people there is no off-roading here, but that doesn't stop them any more than the no campfires signs do.
https://bigsurkate.blog
Unbelievable! Maybe the fine structure needs to be assessed. Didn't people start littering less when signs advised $1000. Fine and enforced? Illegal campfire Fines should be $100,000+ but there must be an amount that would both provide a deterrent and be enforceable. Then again, these people must be completely oblivious! I wonder what was said to them by the USFS? Were they fined?
I don't know if USFS talked to them. The USFS has informed me that they are charged for the firefighting costs if the campfire starts a wildfire. The people who started one at the Indians a few years ago lost everything and are still paying, one ff told me.
https://bigsurkate.blog
Correction: That probably is not the actual campfire as I first thought, but part of their kit.
My compliments to bring this critical issue. Last Saturday late afternoon you can see the " campers" outside the park that reflects the risk we as society are taking. With the current struggle to battle the road decay, the extreme heat why not putting a. Omplete stop on overnight camping or parking.
Your story is written with full rational and assuming people from other places can think like the locals.
However, too many people have no idea what risk there is and why we need police to stop overnight. Anping and fire 24 hours a day. If not just close the roads for non permit people.
It is not ordinary weather pattern.
Hope common sense takes over and start protecting life in Monterey County
Way to be on it Kate. Thanks for keeping us safe! This will keep happening unless we can get enforcement patrols and/or just make camping only in designated campsites. You would have thought the Soberanes Fire would have been a wake up call for all the government agencies. If you don't have the resources to manage these areas then shut it down!!!! How many devastating fires is it going to take?
Now our local representatives want to open the "emergency trail" to the public where there is no easy way to get mutual aid requests if there is a fire and more importantly no easy way out. Smart!!!
And, as someone else pointed out, until the bridge and Paul's Slide are open, we are subject to the same possibility as the horrible tragedy in Portugal with people trying to flee a wildfire on a narrow, mountainous road, and dying in their cars.
https://bigsurkate.blog
Thank You Kate!!!! Prevention is key. Good idea to stop, take photos and have a lil chat with 'careless campers' . Going to be a long summer and yes, it is dry.
I will never understand the mindset that operates in camping wherever it suits them. I grew up camping and backpacking all summer but it was droned into my head by my father and scouting to always be safe and to always leave a place cleaner than you left it. Zero impact. I lament the fact that it gets more difficult to be a spontaneous camper, however, that does not mean that it is OK to camp anywhere endangering the lives of people who live in the area. Thank you again for trying to determine what goes through their heads.
Aletha
I immediately thought of Portugal and Nac-Ferg when I saw this. I hope to hell nothing bad happens. Still don't understand why they don't just shut down access to visitors during this road-closed issue. And, before anyone chews me out, I understand that there are businesses and campgrounds that would be severely affected. But if one of these yahoos start a fire that burns down the business or harms people, will the gamble be worth it? Like I said, I hope nothing worse happens, and I hold all y'all in my thoughts for calm and reason to prevail in the visitors. And Kate, as usual, you're on it. I hope they can 'hear' you.
Kate, OASN..
Usually I don't pay attention to the "related" spot stories below the main present story - and the 'Ballistic Kate & Rave' title caught my eye, I must admit very entertaining and true to your nature- I can only imagine how you would feel while a heatwave and other major crises of this past season could unleash demonic Kate? ; )
Oh, I have so mellowed as I age. I've been doing this for almost 9 years, and I've learned a thing or two 'cuz I've seen a thing or two. (Thanks Farmer's)
https://bigsurkate.blog
:-)
I can hear the Farmer's commercial tune as I type.
"Campfire catastrophe"
"... and we covered it."
"June 2017"
:-)
I will roll through NF on Wednesday. I will be looking for violators as I drive too. If I catch a violator I will handle on scene as always.