Author: bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

Big Sur Information

Header photo by ??? (Apologies to the photographer)

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USFS Forest Order 05-07-51-26-11 remains in effect for the Monterey Ranger District, restricting public access for safety, with specified exceptions. The closure is effectiveSeptember 26, 2026, through January 31, 2027

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EMERGENCY WINTER INFORMATION:

https://www.readymontereycounty.org (Current Emergency Information)

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2f3c34de826a4c19a9fb175a1596ae39 (flood and debris flow risks map for Big Sur)

https://mcwrarealtimehydrodata.com (MoCo Water Resources Board (real time data)

(More important links to be added as we cycle into winter)

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For donations for fire victims, Community Association of Big Sur. https://CABigSur.org

For donations to Big Sur Fire (who have really been on it everywhere) bigsurfire.org

thebigsurbigshare.org has helped to keep Big Sur fed.

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Links for phone users who can’t see the links to the right without scrolling through two years of posts. I’ll start with just a few, but if you have others you wish to see here, let me know.

Big Sur Maps (3) with slide names, locations, etc.: https://bigsurkate.blog/big-sur-interactive-highway-maps-with-slide-names-mile-markers/

Caltrans Interactive Map: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

CHP dispatch: https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx

 

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Interactive Highway Map with Mile Markers and slide names is to the right, under “Pages” first one *Big Sur Interactive Maps... if the following link doesn’t work. *Big Sur Interactive Slide Maps will answer any questions you may have about where something is in relation to something else.

MY DIRECT EMAIL IS: kwnovoa(AT)mac(dot)com

 

Big Sur Winter Preparedness & South Coast Zoom Meeting 11/19 info


Please see the message below from Supervisor Kate Daniels. It includes a comprehensive list of resources on winter weather preparedness, along with questions and answers from the recent Big Sur Town Hall hosted by the Big Sur Grange. Please also note the ZOOM link for the upcoming Virtual South Coast Town Hall scheduled for November 19th at 5:30 https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/91960298605?pwd=DyCcKrMBbL7VyMklckfsvihPgPjEtS.1. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Warm Regards,
The CABS TeamNOVEMBER 10, 2026A Message to the Big Sur Community: Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Big Sur Grange for our recent Storm Preparedness Meeting. The turnout and thoughtful questions reflected what makes Big Sur special: neighbors looking out for one another and coming together to prepare for challenges as a community.Below, you will find a summary of the questions and answers shared during the meeting by emergency managers, scientists, public safety officials, and agency representatives. We hope this information helps you better understand the risks associated with this winter’s storm season and supports your preparedness efforts.We encourage everyone to take time to review the Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) Report and take the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWR) Survey. (The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Report has not yet been released.) The WERT and BAER reports provide important information about post-fire watershed conditions, debris flow risks, and rainfall thresholds. You will also find a link below to the presentation slide decks from our speakers so that residents can revisit the material and share it with friends, family, neighbors, and employees who may not have been able to attend.One message was repeated throughout the evening: prepare early. Big Sur’s beauty and remoteness are part of what we cherish, but they also make advance planning especially important. Whether that means creating an evacuation plan, signing up for emergency alerts, helping a neighbor prepare, or stocking emergency supplies, the steps we take today will help strengthen our community’s resilience in the months ahead.For our South Coast residents, we will be hosting a South Coast-specific Zoom meeting on November 19th to discuss local concerns, answer questions, and share additional information relevant to your area. We hope you can join us.Meeting Resources:WERT ReportBig Sur Presentation Slides (scroll to the very bottom of webpage)Emergency Preparedness ResourcesAlert Monterey County Sign-UpAdditional Community InformationAs always, my office is here to help before, during and after the storm. Please reach out to us with any questions or needs as they arise.All my best,
Kate Daniels
County Supervisor, District 5

Big Sur Fire Survey

For more than 50 years, Big Sur Fire’s volunteer firefighters have answered the call for 911, responding to fires, medical emergencies, rescues and more all along our coast. We want to hear from you about how we’re doing and where you’d like us to focus our people, time, and resources. Your input will help guide our planning for the years ahead. The survey takes about 15 minutes, it’s anonymous, every question is optional, and there are no wrong answers.

Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BSFenglishversion

The survey is also available in Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/BSFspanishversion

If you or someone you know would like to request a paper survey, please contact us at info@bigsurfire.org or call our office 831-667-2113.

Thank you for helping us keep Big Sur safe.

Veteran’s Day, 2026

Military Women's MemorialThank You for Your Service
Dear Ms. Novoa,

On this Veterans Day, we proudly celebrate the extraordinary women and men who have served our Nation and the incredible community that stands beside them.

Veterans Day is a time to honor those who answered the call to serve something greater than themselves. It is a day to recognize courage, sacrifice, and selfless service, and to reflect on the generations of Americans whose dedication has helped protect our freedoms and shape our Nation.

To all our veterans, thank you for your service!

TO OUR WOMEN VETERANS, WE CELEBRATE YOU!

Across generations, in times of war and peace, you have served with distinction, overcome challenges, broken barriers, and opened doors for those who followed.

Some of you served when opportunities for women were limited and your contributions too often overlooked. Others have served in roles that previous generations could only have imagined. Together, you have helped shape our military, strengthen our Nation, and build upon more than 251 years of women’s remarkable legacy of service.

Whether you served at home or abroad, on the front lines or behind the scenes, your service matters. Your story matters. And your place in our Nation’s history deserves to be honored and remembered.

At the Military Women’s Memorial, we are immensely proud of you and grateful for your service. It is our privilege to celebrate your achievements, preserve your stories, and ensure your legacy inspires generations to come.

TO OUR COMMUNITY, THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH OUR VETERANS!

To our friends, supporters, volunteers, and partners, thank you for honoring and supporting our veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

Whether or not you have worn the uniform, you have chosen to stand beside those who did. Through your generosity, volunteerism, advocacy, and friendship, you help ensure our veterans receive the recognition they deserve and that their stories are never forgotten.

You turn appreciation into action and stories of service into lasting legacies.You are an essential part of our MWM community, and we are so fortunate to share this mission with you.

AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION.

At the Military Women’s Memorial, honoring our veterans is more than something we do on Veterans Day. It is who we are. It is why we exist. And it is what inspires us every day.

For nearly 30 years, the Memorial has stood as a promise to America’s military women: Your service will be honored. Your contributions will be recognized. Your stories will never be forgotten.

What an incredible privilege it is to fulfill that promise—to celebrate the women whose service has shaped our Nation, preserve their histories, and share their stories with the world. And how fortunate we are to do this meaningful work alongside a community that cares so deeply about our veterans and our mission.

Together, we are ensuring that the courage, sacrifices, and extraordinary legacy of America’s military women will be honored and remembered for generations to come.

From all of us at the Military Women’s Memorial, we wish you and your loved ones a meaningful Veterans Day filled with pride, reflection, and gratitude.

To all who have served our Nation, today and every day, we honor you, we celebrate you, and we thank you!

With heartfelt appreciation,
Your Military Women’s Memorial Team
LinkedInYouTubeFacebookX (Twitter)InstagramUpdate Your Email Preferences

Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22203

Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Website | Log In to Your MWM Account

Get Ready for El Niño 2026

This is the current list of Winter Storm Town Hall Meetings. Also, at the last one for Big Sur, Kate Daniels indicated that Don Lindsey, CGS, of WERT for the Timber and Plaskett Fires woiuld do a separate presentation. His data contribution is invaluable and as soon as it is arranged, I will let you know. Also, below this MoCo graphic is a link to a Big Sur specific map that you might find useful regarding flood and debris flow risks.

El Niño 2026 map specifically for Big Sur and both the Timber and Plaskett Fires.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/2f3c34de826a4c19a9fb175a1596ae39

Another useful link is the one to the 2026 WERT response: https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/bwg/recent

Also, for my readers in SLO Co, from the Tribune: Meteorologist John Lindsey and SLO County Emergency Operations Center Director Scotty Jalbert will answer questions on Zoom about the El Niño on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. The panel will be moderated by San Luis Obispo Tribune reporter Stephanie Zappelli.

Read more at: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/weather-news/article317965547.html#storylink=cpy

Two Daytime Closures of Highway One near Torre Canyon

Date:Friday, November 6, 2026
District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:Ashton Harris
Phone:(805) 549-3318

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FULL DAYTIME CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 NEAR

TORRE CANYON BRIDGE SET TO TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER 18 & 19

MONTEREY COUNTY — Travelers on Highway 1 near Torre Canyon Bridge will encounter two full daytime closures on Wednesday, November 18 and Thursday November 19.

The full closure will take place from 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm from Post Mile 39 to Post Mile 40, weather permitting. The roadway will be open for one hour from 12 pm to 1 pm.

Crews will be installing wire mesh netting on slopes above the roadway in response to the Timber Fire and preparing for the winter season.

Message signs will alert travelers in advance of the section that is fully closed. Please avoid the area and allow for extra time for your travels. Community members in the area can expect noise associated with this closure.

Caltrans will communicate with emergency response agencies and school district personnel to coordinate their passage through the closure area as needed.

This work is a continuation of work done during the daytime closure that took place on October 29. If more daytime closures are needed in this area Caltrans will continue to communicate with the traveling public as they take place.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Winter Storm Preparedness Town Hall

2026-27 Winter Storm Preparedness Town Hall – Big Sur

Tonight’s meeting will be available on Zoom for those of you who can’t attend in person. Please see the information below. Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:Zoom: https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/98967600935?pwd=pKSEWpk77ySgYhFUpZEQzhFb9rMkGA.1
Passcode:817153Phone one-tap:
+16692192599, 98967600935# US (San Jose) 16699006833, 98967600935# US+(San Jose)
Good afternoon Big Sur neighbors and friends,

We are writing to remind you of an upcoming Winter Preparedness Town Hall meeting:Big Sur River & Watershed: Winter Preparedness Town Hall
Thursday, October 29, 2026  6:00-8:00 PM
Big Sur GrangeBig Sur residents are strongly encouraged to attend this important community meeting to learn what the Timber and Plaskett fires mean for our area heading into winter.

Hosted by Monterey County District 5 and the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), this town hall will focus on winter storm preparedness, flooding, evacuation routes, road closures, emergency alerts, and the risk of post-fire debris flows. Panelists from key agencies will be present to share information and answer questions.

A key focus of the meeting will be the newly finalized BAER and WERT reports, which assess post-fire watershed conditions and identify areas at risk from debris flows, flooding, and erosion from both the Timber and Plaskett fires.BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response): Assesses immediate post-fire threats to people, infrastructure, water quality, and natural resources, and identifies emergency stabilization needs.WERT (Watershed Emergency Response Team): Evaluates post-fire watershed hazards, including potential debris flows and flooding, and identifies risks to homes, roads, culverts, and other infrastructure.Representatives from the Geological Survey will provide a 30-minute presentation on the reports and their findings, with a focus on what they mean for Big Sur following the Timber and Plaskett fires heading into this winter season.

Public-facing maps and reports are also being prepared for online release, and CABS will share these public resources with the community as soon as they become available.

This is an important opportunity to hear directly from agency representatives, better understand local risks, and learn how to prepare for the coming winter. We highly encourage you all to attend and share this notice with your neighbors.