Gov. Jerry Brown, alarmed by reports that climate change is dramatically increasing fire risk, on Thursday ordered an all-out attack by scientists, land managers, industry and the public on the dangerous conditions that helped spread last year’s devastating wildfires.
The executive order will launch a slate of projects to improve forest conditions and increase fire protection, including a doubling of the amount of land managed by controlled burns, tree thinning and other forest-management tactics.
…
Brown’s plan includes the following:
•Doubling the land actively managed through vegetation thinning, controlled fires and reforestation from 250,000 acres to 500,000 acres.
• Creating programs to help promote forest health through prescribed burning.•Teaching landowners better ways to reduce vegetation and other forest-fire fuels on private lands.
• Streamlining the process for property owners to win permits to improve forest health and reduce forest-fire fuels on their land.
• Supporting the innovative use of forest products, including lumber and wood products for building, and organic matter for fuel and to generate electricity.
•Expanding grants, training and other incentives to improve watersheds.
Read more about Gov. Brown’s executive order on the SF Chronical website: here
Fire near the end of Schulte road. Schulte Road is closed off including all residents. Air support is on-scene. Report is of power lines down per Skee Stanley, who is still connected, even though he left us for Texas.
Photo below shows the fire is almost out.
A couple more images provided by Scott.
Aerial video by Brian Mack.
The GIF video is about 23 seconds long. It shows the Mud Creek slide from two different angles. Please refresh the page if the video does not show. You may need to wait some time for it to load completely.
Below are a couple screenshots from the video. 
The image below was rotated to show the slide from a level perspective.
Photos below of: 1-2) Mud Creek (PM 8.8); 3-4) Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6)
SR-1 FULL CLOSURE CONTINUES–RAGGED PT (SLO PM 72.87) TO JUST SOUTH OF PALO COLORADO (PM 61.5).
*IMPORTANT NOTE – CALTRANS PFEIFFER CYN. BRIDGE (PM 45.5) UPDATE:
· DUE TO EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNSAND THE BRIDGE’S DYNAMIC INSTABILITY, EVERYONE needs to STAY CLEAR and not get within 100 feet of either side of the bridge. This closure will be enforced.
· Drilling began Thursday, February 23 and will continue for approximately two weeks. Caltrans geotechnical and bridge experts from around the state are working as quickly as possible toward the bridge replacement. Drilling investigation findings are targeted for March 17.
· On the maintenance side, our goal is to make progress with the slides to regain as much access from the south as possible. We are also working to keep the roadway passable from the north to just north of the Pfeiffer Cyn Bridge—for locals only.
*BUSINESSES REMAIN OPEN*
Locals may travel in a truck, SUV or van, daytime only (after 10 am):
1) between Ragged. Pt. and Limekiln Crk Bridge (PM 21) and
2) between just north of Pfeiffer Cyn Bridge and Carmel.
Another update regarding the Highway 1 Big Sur Coast will be provided around mid-morning Tuesday, Feb. 28 or sooner if conditions change.
NOTE: For information on emergency services only (not Caltrans road inquiries) for the Big Sur Coast, you may contact Gerry Malais, Mon. Co. OES via email at: malaisg@co.monterey.ca.us or Maia Carroll, Mon. Co. OES PIO at carrollm@co.monterey.ca.us or via phone at (831) 796-3092.
Original post can be found here: www.thebigsurblog.com
Photos of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge from a helicopter today.
Flight by Specialized Helicopters, Watsonville
Photography by Stan Russell
Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge is cracking in half. The drilling rig on the right will be drilling for two weeks to determine the geology of the area to determine how to anchor the foundation of the new bridge. Their report is due March 16, 2017
The crack is now all the way through the bridge. The rebar is holding this bridge up while the support
From the surface of the roadway
The surface of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge is cracking in half and collapsing as shown in this image. Photo by Stan Russell
Another angle to show how much the bridge has sagged while we can do nothing but wait for it to break. Photo by Stan Russell
Below are some quick notes from tonight’s two-hour Coast Property Owners Association meeting. I may have left out some important stuff. Please feel free to add any additional info in the comment section. The agenda can be found here.
Update: Official CPOA minutes will be posted on the CPOA website when the draft has been finalized.
Butch started the meeting. He thanked everyone for their help and for participating in the meeting. He also thanked Big Sur Kate – Kate Novoa.
Martha Karstens (Big Sur Fire Brigade) & CPOA:
-All areas are currently covered by Fire. They’re looking into more landing pads for helicopters.
-CHP is letting locals and workers through the roadblock if they have proof of residence or a note with their names and address of where they are going.
-There was a hike today to scout out trail locations on park land. It was not encouraging, but providing trail access is really important!
-A PG&E truck and Blaze Engineering possibly made it around the bridge on private property, but the road was really bad. Possibly on the Chappallet Ranch?
-Tomorrow there will be nine vans that will attempt to navigate from the South to Esalen with supplies. They will go over Paul’s one at a time. Caltrans will stop the convoy if the road shows any signs of stress. The vans will take fifty or so people out from Esalen. More to be evacuated by helicoptor.
-Safeway Carmel will be taking orders and bringing them to the airport to resupply those who are South of the bridge. People should stock up for two weeks. CPOA has the Safeway order forms. Monterey OES will deliver(?). They’re hiring a helicopter company from Paso Robles. Next Friday will be the first day the helicopters can fly.
-Kirk may bring in food from the South to the Deli for people to buy.
-Power was restored to South Pfeiffer.
Senator Monning:
-National Guard will get involved with resupply if Monterey has no other options – Monterey County will need to push for it. National Guard is currently avaliable for medical evacuations.
-Regarding unemployment insurance, people need to sign up online if they’ve been out of work for one week or more. It takes two weeks to process a claim.
-A new trail would be treacherous and steep. John Laird may get involved because it’s on parks land. They’ll explore all options.
-FEMA will provide relief based on the amount of damage there is. Providing your repair estimates will help show FEMA the amount of damage in the area. Contact CPOA with any questions.
Community Foundation:
-The Community Foundation raised almost one million dollars from donations for their special purpose fund. Relief, Recover, Rebuild!
Congressman Panetta:
-Working with FEMA. Most of the damage occurs when there is a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th storm.
-There are “competing emergencies” throughout the region.
-He flew over the area in a helicopter on Wednesday with Sheriff Bernal. He’ll convey the extent of the damage to FEMA.
-He has a 10 am conference call with agencies tomorrow morning. They will stay on track!
Caltrans:
-Bixby Bridge is on bedrock. Any slide below the bridge is “surface soil” only.
-Hurricane Point, they are constantly keeping one lane open.
-The Fernwood slide is manageable.
-Four weeks design time for Pfeiffer Creek bridge. A rebuilding schedule may be available in three weeks time. Plans for realigning the highway are ongoing with the Bridge plans.
-Cow Cliffs keeps filling the road with rocks. They are dynamiting the big rocks. Dynamic slide situation.
-Paul’s Slide, the cribbing wall has fallen out and the remaining lane is only eleven feet wide. No heavy vehicles allowed. Nine vans will try to cross tomorrow to get food in and to get people out of Esalen. If the road at Paul’s slide goes, then there is no way in or out.
-Mud Creek has three active slides. One recently moved two feet. Lots of action at Mud Creek. Hopefully, the road is clear for tomorrow. It’s like groundhog day, they clear a culvert one day and it fills in again overnight. Bear Chute has lots of groundwater.
-Nacimiento-Fergusson road will be closed by the County during storms because of the slant of the road. Cars can slide off the edge when there is mud on the road.
Cheryl Goetz (Mid-Coast Fire Brigade):
-CPOA has been a huge help.
-Palo Colorado road was compromised. They’re using quads to traverse the road.
-Power could take a couple days.
-Brian patch and Norm are repairing the road to make it passable for residents, for PG&E and for Public Works to access the area.
-Three homes were damaged by the floods. One is beyond repair.
-Old Coast Road is impassable and compromised at Bill Nye’s.
-Water systems in Palo are out. The whole area is dynamic. Everything is constantly changing.
School:
-Most kids South of the bridge are home schooled or staying with friends in town. The trail will be beneficial to get kids to school.
CPOA:
-Over $900,000 donated. 500 emails, 400 phone calls, 100 site visits. They’re saving money for water systems and road repairs after the storms. Most people chose to rebuild after the wet season so any new infrastructure is not damaged by the flooding. They’ll try to make a little bit go a long way. Some people may need to consider paying out of pocket for repairs. Thank you, everyone!
Update on the status of the fund:
a. Soberanes Fire Relief Fund Total Raised $901,954.14
b. Total Distributed $748,470.63
c. Total Remaining $150,636.51
c.i. Water Fund $28,707
c.ii. Septic Fund $15,271
c.iii. Road Fund $68,173
c.iv. General Fire Fund $38,485
d. Soberanes Children’s Fund – Raised $24,000 and fully distributed
In closing by Senator Monning:
-Provide factual updates. Ask specific questions. We will persevere!
From CPOA.
While an unusual format for us, it is the best option given the circumstances.
Attached is the most current agenda. Note that the call in and log in information has been updated, so it is important to resend this in the event you already sent it.
Many thanks,
Lisa
Download the Word document here: cpoa-meeting-agenda
PDF document can be found here: cpoa-meeting
SR-1 FULL CLOSURE CONTINUES–RAGGED PT (SLO PM 72.87) TO JUST SOUTH OF PALO COLORADO (PM 61.5).
*IMPORTANT NOTE – CALTRANS BRIDGE ASSESSMENT FINDINGS/BIG SUR COAST PLANS:
· A BRIDGE INSPECTION WAS MADE YESTERDAY, TUESDAY, FEB. 21. THE BRIDGE HAS MOVED SEVERAL FEET SINCE SATURDAY, FEB. 11, AND IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR—The bridge will not re-open to anyone—DUE TO EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE BRIDGE’S DYNAMIC INSTABILITY, EVERYONE needs to STAY CLEAR and not get within 100 feet of either side of the bridge. This closure will be enforced.
· Drilling is scheduled to begin, weather permitting, either Thursday or Friday for approximately two weeks. Caltrans geotechnical and bridge experts from around the state are working as quickly as possible toward the bridge replacement. Drilling investigation findings are targeted for March 17.
· On the maintenance side, with a couple of days of dry weather our goal is to make progress with the slides to regain as much access from the south as possible. We are also working to keep the roadway passable from the north to just north of the Pfeiffer Cyn Bridge. Yesterday was no exception when multiple slides were cleared up and one lane opened at River Inn and at a recurring slide just south of Hurricane Pt (PM 57)—which is still active today but we have several pieces of equipment keeping it passable.
*BUSINESSES REMAIN OPEN*
Locals may travel in a truck, daytime only:
1) between Ragged. Pt. and Big Creek Bridge and
2) between just north of Pfeiffer Cyn Bridge and Carmel.
Another update regarding the Highway 1 Big Sur Coast will be provided around mid-morning tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 23.
NOTE: For information on emergency services for the Big Sur Coast, you may contact Gerry Malais, Mon. Co. OES via email at: malaisg@co.monterey.ca.us or Maia Carroll, Mon. Co. OES PIO at carrollm@co.monterey.ca.us or via phone at (831) 796-3092.
Photos and descriptions provided by Scott Moffat. Thank you, Scott!
“I wanted to share these photos of the condition of the North Coast Ridge Road as of Tuesday morning. The slide is on the Northern exposure of the Post Creek drainage. Just past Bill Burleigh’s driveway but still before the corner in the road at the back of the canyon.”
Looking up the NCRR under one of the trees that fell uphill across the road once the slide eroded its roots footing.
Looking down the NCRR from on top of the pile of mud and trees brought down by the slide.
Looking up from what used to be the NCRR at the area of land that came down on top of and in many parts took out the road.
Looking down at the slide as it continued past and through the NCRR into the creek.
Same slide from across the canyon.
