I am tired of fire photos. You?
And a couple more fall photos sent to me by Barbara Woyt. Thanks, Barbara!
Fall Equinox
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.
Zones J & K downgraded
Effective immediately Zones J & K has been downgraded from evacuation order to Evacuation WARNING. This change is weather dependent and could be moved back to an order if changes in the weather cause changes in fire behavior or growth.
PLEASE NOTE: Tourist traffic is discouraged due to heavy fire traffic and roadside hazards.
All other zone’s status remains unchanged.
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.
An “Evacuation ORDER” means those in a specific area/zone should leave immediately.
If you feel that your life is in danger, do not wait for and order.
Highway 1 open at 6 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HIGHWAY 1 IN MONTEREY COUNTY ALONG BIG SUR COAST TO FULLY OPEN AT 6 PM
MONTEREY COUNTY – State Route 1 along the Big Sur Coast, which for the last four weeks has experienced closures due to the Dolan Fire, will be fully reopened at 6 pm today.
The current highway closure, between Gorda and Lucia, will be lifted at that time.
Travelers are advised to continue using caution and be aware of emergency vehicles in the area.
Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when
driving through highway work zones.
Dolan Fire, Day 34, 9/21/20
Dolan FireLos Padres National ForestPublic Information Phone:831-272-0222Media Information Phone: 831-272-0221Incident E-mail:2020.Dolan@firenet.govIncident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
Size: 128,416 acres Containment: 46% Personnel: 546 Start Date: August 18, 2020 Cause:Under Investigation Structures Damaged: 4 Structures Destroyed: 19
YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: Fire activity was minimal across the Dolan Fire area yesterday. Firefighters monitored activity around the Arroyo Seco River and helicopters were brought in to cool hot spots in the area and southeast of Junipero Peak.
Crews completed ignitions along Highway 1 to bring fire down to the road and contain that fire edge. Firefighters also continued mopping up along McKern Road.
TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Fire managers are expecting another day of moderate fire activity with minimal fire growth today. The work of holding and mopping up containment lines continues around the fire and local crews will continue the process of backhauling critical suppression supplies like hoses, pumps and portable tanks, back to the Incident Command Post in King City so they can be used on other wildfire incidents across the west.
There will be a live virtual community meeting on the U.S. Forest Service-Los Padres National Forest Facebook page at 2 pm. today. Questions may be submitted in advance through Facebook or emailed to 2020.dolan@firenet.gov, and fire managers will respond to questions posted real time to the live streamed event as well.
Firefighters will continue to monitor the northeast section of the fire near Arroyo Seco to watch for any increase in fire activity with persistent hot and dry conditions. The east side of the fire is also being held and monitored from Arroyo Seco south to Fort Hunter Liggett. And mop up will continue along McKern Road from Prewitt Ridge to the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road to contain the south end of the fire.
The air resource advisor assigned to the Dolan Fire has been released with the trend of “good” air conditions in recent days so there will no longer be an air quality update issued for the Central Coast of California. To keep up with air quality conditions near you, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/
Pacific Northwest Team 2 will transfer command of the Dolan Fire to California Incident Management 15, a Type 2 Incident Management Team with Incident Commander James Harris on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
EVACUATIONS: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has evacuations ORDERS and WARNINGS in effect. For current evacuation information view the OES interactive map or call 211. SPCA Monterey County can assist with rescuing, sheltering, and evacuating animals. Call 831-373-2631 – day; 831-264-5455 – night; www.spcamc.org.
ROAD CLOSURES: HWY 1 is closed between mile post 25 and mile post 10. Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd is closed to all traffic from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line. For more information visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov/.
REGIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Regional Order No. 20-10 USDA Forest Service has closed public entry to several national forests including the Los Padres National Forest.
WEATHER: Hot and dry conditions are forecasted for the fire area today with winds out of the northwest.
Fotos from the Front
Just when I thought it was over, and that I would be signing off on this fire tonight, more backburns. Looks like McKern on the east and Wild Cattle on the west. Helicopters are cooling it down as I type.
Dolan Fire, Day 33, 9/20/20
Fire Information: 831-272-0222 Email:2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Media Information: 831-272-0221 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lospadresnationalforest
Size: 128,261 acres Containment: 46% Personnel: 568 Start Date: August 18, 2020
Cause: Under Investigation Structures Damaged: 4 Structures Destroyed: 19
YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: Firefighters continued the process of bringing fire down the steep slopes along Highway 1 on the coastal side of the Dolan Fire yesterday. They specifically worked the area from Kirk Creek moving north to connect to firing operations to the containment lines along the road. Crews made good progress on this part of the fire and ignitions are nearly complete.
The east side of the fire had isolated pockets of heat, including the northeast portion of the fire around the Arroyo Seco River. Helicopters were called in to drop water on these hot spots and they’ll continue to be monitored by fire managers.
TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: The Incident Meteorologist (IMET) is forecasting continued warming with temperatures in the low 90s on the inland side of the fire for the next several days. Winds will be out of the northwest.
Along the fire perimeter from Arroyo Seco to Junipero Peak, air operations will keep a vigilant eye on possible fire movement and continue to respond with air support to cool hot spots with water. Retardant will also be available from the mobile retardant base in Arroyo Seco to use to moderate fire behavior. In addition to the Arroyo Seco area, firefighters will also pay close attention to any hot spots flaring up along the eastern perimeter near Pine Canyon.
Crews have nearly completed the process of bringing fire down to Highway 1 to contain the western flank of the fire. This road remains hazardous in these conditions and firefighters will continue working with CalTrans to remove falling rocks, rollout, and snags along Highway 1. There is currently no estimate of when the road will reopen at this time.
While the Dolan Fire area encompasses about 200 square miles, there has been little growth on the fire in the past few days aside from carefully planned burnout operations to contain the uncontrolled fire perimeter. While firefighters continue to patrol containment lines, local crews will begin the process of removing hoses, pumps, portable tanks and other equipment from North Coast Ridge Road and Highway 1 and along McKern Road. This equipment is no longer needed for suppression activities and will be sent back to fire caches where they can be inspected, cleaned and then used by another wildfire currently burning in the west.
EVACUATIONS: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has evacuations ORDERS and WARNINGS in effect. For current evacuation information view the OES interactive map or call 211. SPCA Monterey County can assist with rescuing, sheltering, and evacuating animals. Call 831-373-2631 – day; 831-264-5455 – night; www.spcamc.org.
ROAD CLOSURES: HWY 1 is closed between mile post 25 and mile post 10. Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd is closed to all traffic from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line. For more information visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov/.
REGIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Regional Order No. 20-10 USDA Forest Service has closed public entry to several national forests including the Los Padres National Forest.
WEATHER: Hot and dry conditions are forecasted for the fire area today with winds out of the northwest.
Dolan Fire
Los Padres National Forest
Public Information Phone: 831-272-0222
Media Information Phone: 831-272-0221
Incident E-mail: 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
Dolan Fire, Day 32, 9/19/20
Update tonight from the USFS: “
DolanFire Evening Update for 9/19/2020
In the Highway 1 corridor at the south end of the fire, additional hand ignition was done from Kirk Creek to the north to connect control line at the highway up to the main fire. “Cleanup” ignitions in this area are nearly complete.
The control line holding the burnout from Prewitt Ridge along McKern Road to Nacimiento-Ferguson Road is still holding. Tonight’s photos show two members of the Del Rosa Hotshots (blue hard hats) and other firefighters working with bulldozers to light and hold this burnout the day before yesterday (Thursday 9/17/2020.)
On the eastern side of the fire, between Fort Hunter Liggett and Arroyo Seco, fire activity picked up in some areas late this afternoon. Firefighters responded with water drops from helicopters, also known as “bucket work,” successfully keeping that part of the fire in check.
For tonight’s weather, multiple layers of inversion are expected with some burning continuing in the dry layers. Dryer weather is forecast for tomorrow. Northwesterly winds will continue. Temps are expected to keep rising through midweek.
Tomorrow, hoses will be removed from North Coast Ridge Road and Highway 1. A crew will be camped out on Kern Ridge starting tomorrow night to begin pulling hoses, pumps, portable tanks, and other gear used to hold the burn. Firefighters will continue working with CalTrans to deal with falling rocks, rollout, and snags along Highway 1, but there is no estimate at this time of when the road will reopen. Please call 511 or visit the CalTrans web site for road closure updates.
Along the fire perimeter from Arroyo Seco to Junipero Peak, air operations will keep a vigilant eye on possible fire movement and continue to respond with water drops. Retardant will also be available from the mobile retardant base in Arroyo Seco. In addition to the Arroyo Seco area, firefighters will also pay close attention to any hot spots flaring up along the eastern perimeter facing Pine Canyon.
For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018/“
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The fire is winding down and there is not much activity on the fire anymore, so John Chesnut is not going to be providing any new maps after tonight, unless there is a sudden change. On behalf of me, and all my readers, thank you very much for providing these easy to understand maps. Your selflessness in doing this for us can never be repaid, so we will just pay it forward.
Fire Information: 831-272-0222 Email: 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Media Information: 831-272-0221 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lospadresnationalforest
Size: 128,050 acres Containment: 46% Personnel: 678 Start Date: August 18, 2020
Cause: Under Investigation Structures Damaged: 4 Structures Destroyed: 19
YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: Overall, there was moderate fire behavior on the Dolan Fire yesterday but gusty afternoon winds produced some visible smoke columns from burnout operations on Highway 1 as isolated pockets of green vegetation burned within containment lines.
Yesterday crews continued burning along Highway 1, finishing most of the burnout from Mill Creek to Pacific Valley with both hand and aerial ignitions. On the south side of the fire, firefighters continued to hold all fire on the north side of McKern Road with the assistance of favorable southwesterly winds.
TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Hot and dry conditions are forecasted for the weekend, which could increase fire behavior across the Dolan Fire area. Infrared technology is an important tool for fire managers to use in identifying pockets of heat near fire lines and aircraft is quickly dispatched to drop retardant or water on these hot spots. Several helicopters remain available today to respond across the incident if there are flare ups near containment lines due to the change in weather conditions.
Crews continue to hold and patrol the burnout operations on Highway 1 as fire backs down the steep coastal slopes to the road. Firefighters have also been holding fire lines along Prewitt Ridge and around to McKern Road where fire from Wednesday’s burnout operation has joined the main fire. Firefighters continue to hold McKern Road as a containment line and while crews remain diligent watching for spot fires, favorable winds pushing fire north of the road have allowed firefighters to begin cooling and containing the line.
With structure protection work complete in and around Arroyo Seco, firefighters have seen little movement of the fire in recent days. Directly accessing the northeastern portion of the fire remains dangerous and firefighters cannot safely engage due to the steep, rugged terrain and challenging fuel and weather conditions. Fire managers will continue to use heavy helicopters to cool hot spots on the south side of the river and will monitor the fire’s movement in the area.
Several large trees have fallen across the McKern Road and material from the fire area continues to roll down the steep slopes onto Highway 1. Crews often must cut through downed trees to gain access to the fire area or leave for the day. Roads around the fire area remain closed for the safety of the public. They will be reopened again when it is safe to do so and the hazards along the roadside have been addressed.
EVACUATIONS: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has evacuations ORDERS and WARNINGS in effect. For current evacuation information view the OES interactive map or call 211. SPCA Monterey County can assist with rescuing, sheltering, and evacuating animals. Call 831-373-2631 – day; 831-264-5455 – night; www.spcamc.org.
ROAD CLOSURES: HWY 1 is closed between mile post 25 and mile post 10. Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd is closed to all traffic from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line. For more information visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov/.
REGIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Regional Order No. 20-10 USDA Forest Service has closed public entry to several national forests including the Los Padres National Forest.
WEATHER: Hotter and drier temperatures will return to the area today with winds out of the west/northwest.
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As always, here are John Chesnut’s maps. I’ll be back with the morning update later.
“Note expansion of perimeter at the very lowest ocean side of Mill and Kirk Creek == the burnout column you saw yesterday. Looks like the burnout along McKern has expanded in depth 800 meters or more.
Only change in the Arroyo Seco is a little expansion due north of Junipero Serra.”
Dolan Fire Photos, 9/18
Dolan Fire, Day 32, 9/18/20
And as usual lately, I will end this evening and today’s post with a heat map by John Chesnut. With this I can see exactly where the huge plume I photographed came from. There was no heat detection in the Arroyo Seco segment of the fire, so no new map.
Dolan Fire
Basic Information
| Current as of | 9/17/2020, 8:59:08 PM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Unknown |
| Date of Origin | Tuesday August 18th, 2020 approx. 08:15 PM |
| Location | Highway 1(MM 32.20) North of Limekiln State Park, 10 miles South of Big Sur |
| Incident Commander | Rob Allen, PNW Team 2 Jeff Mannetti, Fort Hunter Liggett |
| Incident Description | Wildfire |
| Coordinates | 36.123 latitude, -121.602 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 732 |
| Size | 125,559 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 40% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Monday September 28th, 2020 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Chaparral (6 feet)Brush (2 feet)Timber (Grass and Understory)Narrative:The area is surrounded by recent fire scars except to the SE where there is no record of much of that landscape burning since 1999 if not earlier. Recent burn scars (Sobranes) have helped reduce fire spread. In the 2008 fire scar areas, where shrub growth is recent the fuels aren¿t receptive. Where there are dead fuel components (older, decadent brush) fuels are receptive and are carrying/consuming well.A fire behavior advisory is in place for the mountain PSAs of Southern California for extremely dry fuels. Low live fuels moistures combined with poor humidity recoveries can result in very active fire behavior on the Dolan fire, even in the absence of significant winds. |
| Significant Events | ActiveUphill RunsFlankingSpottingNarrative: With low relative humidity values and poor recoveries above the marine layer, fuels remain available for active burning day and night. The big change today was a change in wind direction as a light northerly flow dominated the fire area. The Dolan fire footprint covers a large area with complex topography, varying vegetation types and numerous local weather factors that have been influencing fire behavior. With a wind change, the primary concern is relatively quiet areas of the fire showing increased activity. On the coastal side of the fire, the persistent marine layer has minimized fire behavior but fire weakened trees and rolling material continue to be a safety concern. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Continue burn operations on the southern perimeter of the incident. Continue to prepare for burn operations if needed on the northern and eastern perimeter. Continued direct and indirect control actions along the northern, eastern and southern perimeters. Continue prep and protection of values at risk. Assess and scout areas of new fire growth for potential direct and indirect opportunities. |
| Projected Incident Activity | 12 hours: There were some challenges with spotting during the burn operations on the south side of the fire. Inland fuels remain available for active burning during the day and night and a primary concern is any undetected spot fires becoming active. On the coastal side of the fire, the persistent marine layer will continue to minimize fire behavior.24 hours: The main concern will be the impacts of north winds on suppression actions on the south side of the fire. Fuel moistures, forecasted temperatures and humidity values are conducive to active fire behavior and continued fire growth. Fire behavior will be dictated by the depth and persistence of marine layer and shading from area smoke.48 hours: Continuing with a along any unchecked fire edge on the north side of the fire. |
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YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES:With cloud cover from a high pressure system that passed over the fire area moderating fire activity, firefighters were able to successfully complete the burnout operation along McKern Road on the south side of the Dolan Fire yesterday. The burnout connected the black contained perimeter of the fire at Nacimiento-Ferguson Road west to Highway 1.
TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:Forecasted cooler temperatures will allow firefighters to continue to hold and monitor the burn they completed yesterday on McKern Road. Helicopters are available to assist firefighters in cooling hot spots on containment lines again today while the fire backs down the steep slopes to join the main fire. Executing this burnout was a critical step in containing the southern portion of the Dolan Fire and the next few days will be spent holding and improving this fire line and monitoring for spot fires.
Crews along Highway 1 continue the work of bringing fire down the rugged terrain along the highway and through the Pacific Valley community. Firefighters on the fully contained northwest portion of the fire will transition down to this portion of the fire to assist in these ignitions and focus efforts to containing this portion of the fire as quickly and safely as possible.
With predicted temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s, fire behavior is expected to be minimal around the fire today. While structure preparations are complete around Arroyo Seco, helicopters continue to respond to any flare ups to prevent the fire from crossing the river. Contingency fire lines in are in place outside of the community and along Arroyo Seco Road, but fire managers continue to look for opportunities for crews to safely engage the fire on the south side of the river.
The east side of the fire remains quiet with pockets of heat where heavy timber is burning close to fire lines. Crews monitor these hot spots and bring in helicopters to drop water and minimize the threat of the fire jumping containment lines. Firefighters have also completed contingency lines and structure preparations around Coleman and Pine Canyons.
EVACUATIONS: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has evacuations ORDERS and WARNINGS in effect. For current evacuation information view the OES interactive map or call 211. SCPA Monterey County can assist with rescuing, sheltering, and evacuating animals. Call 831-373-2631 – day; 831-264-5455 – night;www.spcamc.org.
ROAD CLOSURES: HWY 1 is closed between mile post 25 and mile post 10. Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd is closed to all traffic from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line. For more information visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov/. REGIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Regional Order No. 20-10 USDA Forest Service. All National Forest Lands are closed to public entry in California.
WEATHER: The high pressure weather system passing over the fire area will moderate fire behavior today with lower than average temperatures and winds out of the northwest.
No USFS maps provided today.
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From John Chesnut: “The satellite heat detection server is not updating. I went to a second source to get dots.New overnight IR aircraft flight, but very little change in perimeters (though different areas mapped inside the burnout).
Arroyo Seco reads cold.“
Dolan Fire, Day 31, 9/17/20
John Chesnut found a very useful map locals may want to take a look at and perhaps have input into. It is a map of rehab/repair planned for the fire areas:
And the original of this map can be found here: https://ftp.nifc.gov/public/incident_specific_data/calif_s/!2020_Incidents/CA-LPF-002428_Dolan/GIS/Products/20200917/repair_ArchE_Land_20200916_1700_Dolan_LPF002428_0917day.pdf
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Fire Information: 831-272-0222 Email: 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Media Information: 831-272-0221 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lospadresnationalforest
Size: 122,178 acres Containment: 40% Personnel: 758 Start Date: August 18, 2020
Cause: Under Investigation Structures Damaged: 4 Structures Destroyed: 19
CORRECTION FOR ABOVE:
Fire Information: 831-272-0222 Email: 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Media Information: 831-272-0221 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lospadresnationalforest
Size: 125,559 acres Containment: 40% Personnel: 785 Start Date: August 18, 2020
Cause: Under Investigation Structures Damaged: 4 Structures Destroyed: 19
YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: Crews continued the process of bringing fire east along McKern Road yesterday. This plan has been put in place to join fire lines from Highway 1 to the contained fire perimeter on Nacimiento-Ferguson Road on the southeast portion of the fire. A spot fire escaped the fire lines and firefighters quickly responded, supported by two heavy helicopters dropping water to prevent the spread.
Structure protection work continued in Arroyo Seco with the assistance of CalFire. Additionally, heavy equipment operators have been working to reopen fire lines north of Arroyo Seco from the 2017 Soberanes Fire.
TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: On the south side of the fire, firefighters expect to complete the burnout operation on McKern road today to the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Crews along the road will be assisted by helicopters again today cooling hot spots along the fire line. This burnout operation was executed in anticipation of today’s forecasted weather change with winds now coming out of the northwest around noon.
CalFire and crews assigned to the incident have completed structure preparation efforts in Arroyo Seco but will continue to look for opportunities to improve that work and test equipment to ensure generators and sprinklers are working properly if forecasted winds begin pushing fire towards the community. Structure protection work will also continue in Tassajara. Aerial resources were able to both assist firefighting efforts on the ground to cool hot spots and also to scout for opportunities for crews to put in control lines in the steep, rugged terrain of the Arroyo Seco drainage. There are still no plans for a burnout operation from Arroyo Seco at this time unless wind and weather conditions push fire managers to execute a contingency plan to burnout around that area for the safety of the public and to protect private property.
Dozers from CalFire and Ft. Hunter Liggett are continuing the construction of fire line from Arroyo Seco to Coleman Canyon area where structure protection work continues. Crews are using the 2008 Indian Fire scar as a control feature if forecasted winds begin to push the fire east toward homes, private property and other values at risk.
Crews are continuing the methodical work of slowly bringing fire through structures in the Pacific Valley area down to Highway 1. Aerial ignitions continue to assist firefighters on the ground by safely igniting the steep hillside so fire backs down to the Highway.
EVACUATIONS: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has evacuations ORDERS and WARNINGS in effect. For current evacuation information view the OES interactive map or call 211. SCPA Monterey County can assist with rescuing, sheltering, and evacuating animals. Call 831-373-2631 – day; 831-264-5455 – night; www.spcamc.org.
ROAD CLOSURES: HWY 1 is closed between mile post 25 and mile post 10. Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd is closed to all traffic from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line. For more information visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov/. REGIONAL FOREST CLOSURES: Regional Order No. 20-10 USDA Forest Service. All National Forest Lands are closed to public entry in California.
WEATHER: A forecasted high pressure weather system will begin moving through the fire area this afternoon and evening, bringing hotter temperatures to the eastern portion of the fire area which will increase fire behavior. The system will also change the wind direction from a southwesterly low to a north westerly flow.
Dolan Fire
Los Padres National Forest
Public Information Phone: 831-272-0222
Media Information Phone: 831-272-0221
Incident E-mail: 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
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Until the morning briefing arrives, here are the early morning heat maps. McKern Road is looking really, really good, and Arroyo Seco is cold. There is a bit of heat along Highway 1 and in Mill Valley, but much better than yesterday. Good news from the maps by John Chesnut.
