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.
We are now 85% contained, all evacuation orders lifted, and all but one warning lifted, so it is time for me to put this series to bed, hoping that there will not be cause to post again re fires this season. We can expect highway problems this winter, probably several pockets of isolation for a time, so prepare accordingly.
This is a notification from Alert Monterey County:
Dolan Fire – Effective immediately-The Evacuation WARNINGS have been lifted for Zones: 26, 24, B2- Lucia South, J-Prewitt Ridge Area, K-South Coast Ridge Rd. Zone 27 has been downgraded to WARNING.
As a reminder an “Evacuation WARNING” (i.e. sometimes used interchangeably with the term “Advisory”) means those in a specific area/zone should be prepared to evacuate at any time. You do not need to leave your home at this time but please be alert and prepared to leave if an evacuation order is called.
First, excellent news from CA IMT-15: Containment has increased from 46% to 71% in just six days. Congratulations, CA IMT-15. We appreciate all your hard work these last six days. The fact sheet below states containment is 62%, but at this morning’s briefing, they stated it was 71%.
The wind is changing and the temps are increasing and the humidity is decreasing. I am paying attention today, but also trying to take the day off from the Dolan Fire. It is Day 40 and I want to take it off. I need to take it off. So unless something happens I need to report on, this is what I am doing today.
Due to increased heat, winds, change in direction, and thus increased fire danger, the next 3 days will be critical toward holding existing containment, particularly in the south and the east of the fire, per yesterday’s morning briefing.
Phase 1 clean-up of properties which suffered wildfire damage in Monterey County is expected to begin September 28th and take 4-6 weeks.
The government sponsored Debris Removal Program clean-up process is coordinated with State and Federal partners and is a free service to help home and property owners remove hazardous debris so that rebuilding can begin.
Phase 1 includes the removal of hazardous waste generated and remaining on the property by recent fires and is done by expert teams from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These teams have the equipment and training to remove waste such as car batteries, herbicides, pesticides, propane tanks, asbestos siding, paints and e-waste, and will safely dispose of what is collected. It is important to note that these teams are solely focused on debris removal. No assessment about the permit status or other code related issues of any site or remaining structures on a property is part of this work.
All property owners with damaged property will be provided this clean up service and are automatically enrolled in the program; no further action is required. Homeowners may choose to opt out of this free service and hire a private contractor for this work. Those wishing to do so, must make that decision by 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 25th. More information: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/Home/Components/News/News/7666/1336
I don’t know how long I am going to continue to post these as nothing has changed for days. Acreage, containment all remain the same. The only thing that changes is that personnel are being sent elsewhere.