Category: 2015 Fire Season

Solimar Fire – Ventura Fire Closes 101 in both directions

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9:00 am – There is no expected opening time for the freeway, so if you are traveling north or south, alternate routes are recommended. This fire has been crazy last night and this morning with embers described as hockey pucks being blown across all lanes of the 101. The fire has burned 1100 acres, threatened many homes. The CHP website reports:

8:24 AM 19 [22] SR 166 FROM SANTA MARIA OVER TO THE I-5 IS OPEN AND AN ALTERNATE ROUTE FOR TRAVELERS HEADED SOUTH
4:49 AM 18 [20] 1039 C20
4:49 AM 17 [19] ^31-S4 – IT IS NOT RECOMMEND THAT TRACTOR TRAILERS USE THE 150
4:39 AM 16 [16] ^ALL FRWY CLOSURES FOR UNKN DURATION AT THIS TIME***
4:39 AM 15 [15] ^FURTHER MEDIA INQUIRY MAY BE MADE w/ VCFD
4:38 AM 14 [14] ^PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR 1000 HRS AT ICP VENTURA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
4:37 AM 13 [13] ^NEXT BRIEFING AT 0900 HRS
4:26 AM 12 [12] ^SB PCH AT SEACLIFF – CLOSED
4:26 AM 11 [11] ^NB PCH AT EMMA WOOD – CLOSED (FIRE TOO CLOSE TO HAVE A MANNED CLOSURE IN PLACE)
4:26 AM 10 [10] ^SEACLIFF ONR TO SB 101 – CT MANNED HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE
4:26 AM 9 [9] ^MUSSEL SHOALS ONR TO SB 101 – CT MANNED HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE
4:26 AM 8 [8] ^BATES RD ONR TO SB 101 – CT MANNED HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE
4:26 AM 7 [7] ^SR150 ONR TO SB 101 – CT MANNED HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE
4:26 AM 6 [6] ^SB 101 AT SR150 – FULL CT HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE // TRAFFIC CURRENTLY BEING DIVERTED TO SR150
4:25 AM 5 [5] ^W MAIN ST at PEKING ST – VPD MANNED CLOSURE
4:25 AM 4 [4] ^W MAIN ONR TO NB 101 – CLOSED
4:25 AM 3 [3] ^SB 33 TO NB 101 TRANS – CONE CLOSURE w/ CHP UNIT 97
4:25 AM 2 [2] ^NB 101 AT SR33 – CT MANNED HARD CLOSURE IN PLACE // TRAFFIC CURRENTLY BEING DIVERTED TO SR33
4:25 AM 1 [1] ^INFO FOR THE PUBLIC/MEDIA – CLOSURES IN PLACE DUE TO THE SOLIMAR FIRE

Prescribed Burn near Arroyo Seca

NEWS RELEASE

Los Padres National Forest
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Madsen (805) 895-0841
Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Prescribed Burn Scheduled in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA, November 12, 2015…Los Padres National Forest officials announced today that fire crews plan to conduct a prescribed burn next week at the Abbott Lakes adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Administrative Area on the Monterey Ranger District. The 18-acre project area is approximately 25 miles west of King City.

The purpose of the burn is to use prescribed fire to consume the emergent vegetation of the lower Abbott Lake and increase its water storage capacity. This in turn would:

· Provide a reliable source of water for fire suppression activities in order to better protect Arroyo Seco Administrative Site facilities, the surrounding community of Fred’s Camp, and other residential and commercial structures from wildfires.
Reduce or prevent the amount of water needing to be drafted from the Arroyo Seco River during active wildfires because water drafting may exacerbate summertime stress in steelhead trout populations and other aquatic species.
Improve aquatic and wetland habitat of the lower lake by filling it in the late fall, winter and early spring months during high river flows so that the lake is as full as possible on a year-round basis.

If the fuel and weather conditions are safely within prescription, the project could begin as early as November 17. Smoke may be visible from several miles away and residual smoke could be present in the area for several days following the burn.

Forest visitors are advised to call the Arroyo Seco Station at (831) 674-2381 or the Monterey District Office at (831) 385-5434 to obtain current information during the burn operation.

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Fires in Adjacent Counties

there is a wildfire in Santa Cruz County that broke out about 15 mins ago at SR 9 and Keystone Way. The road is closed at both ends. The CHP site did not say which road, but I think Keystone Way is a good bet.

In SLO Co, a vehicle fire broke out about 10 minutes ago at Main St. And the 101 freeway. All occupants are out of the vehicle. Let’s hope it doesn’t go into vegetation.

Ah, yes, Friday night on the Central Coast.

Lightning

I don’t know what the weather reports are, but I can tell you what I am seeing – and that is lightning. It is SSE of here on the other side of Willow somewhere. Can’t hear any thunder, so it is not close, but probably SLO Co or further south. That means the possibility of down strikes, which means possible wildfires. Keep an eye out, where ever you are. Fire season is not over until it’s over. And those lightning strikes could be headed our way. I’ll be keeping an eye out for a bit longer, but gotta get moving a tad earlier than usual tomorrow.

Wild Fire, Hidden Valley Rd & Deerfield, near 46

Incident: 00149 Type: Report of Fire Location: Sr46 / Hidden Valley Rd Loc Desc: HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH ENTRANCE Lat/Lon: 35.551303 -120.774947

Started by downed power lines.

From a reader in Paso : “just had a response for a veg fire on Deerfield Rd. with a cross of Hidden Valley Rd. ……B3415, A/A504, T74 an 75, Heli Tanker 792, H527, Engs. 7185, 3462, 3460, 3477, E30, D3441, WT57, Ques. 2 crews “… Also Tanker 74 responding. Should have this one is no time, if winds aren’t bad out there.

Just called Rock Knocker who was in Templeton this afternoon, and he is currently over by Vineyard and 46, and can see the smoke and flames. Says it is a mess. Will call again when he gets thru.

Tassajara Fire Update #2, 9/20/15

2:30 pm update – “At last check, Cal Fire reports that over 600 personnel are currently working on the Tassajara Fire. It is a massive effort. Crews are working hard to ensure the fire does not cross Carmel Valley Road.” Cachagua Fire

Morning briefing

Update from duty officer chief Owens, Cal Fire’s onsite duty chief as of 8am.
Tassajara 1200+ acres, 10% containment, burning actively SE. 10 homes and numerous outbuildings destroyed. 1 civilian fatality, treating as crime scene. Mandatory evacuation for tassajara from cachagua rd to CVR. Evacuation advisory for Jamesburg and Cachagua communities. Evacuation site is Carmel Middle School. 100 degree temp with 10% humidity, NE winds expected today. 1 mile from Los padres forest. Currently not under unified command. 5 tankers, 3 helos, 2 dozers and 2 hand crews. Retardant is encircling fire but no hose or containment lines.

CAL FIRE BEU FACEBOOK reports: 5 tankers, 2 copters, 35 engines, 7 crews, 3 dozers, 7 water tenders, 260 firefighters.

Cal Fire official Tassajara Incident page

Laureles Fire- 85% contained, 95 acres, 1 structure partially damaged. Containment hopeful by midday.

Tassajara Fire Updates, 9/20/15

it is 3 am – my dogs decided to do a howling routine, my internet is unlimited between midnight and 5, so doing a bit of catch up on the five. Laureles is looking good, Tassajara is not.

11:00 PM Monterey County fire update, Cal Fire Command confirmed:

Tassajara Fire now at 1200+ acres continuing to burn actively towards the SE. 10% containment. Mandatory evacuation for Parrot Ranch. Evacuation advisory for Cachagua and Jamesburg areas. Hard closure for CVR near Cachagua.

Laureles Fire 60%+ contained. Possible full containment by midnight through early morning. Soft closure for Hwy 68 from San Benancio to Laureles Grade.

here is a photo by Dan Dambom of last night’s smoke filled sunset

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Fire in Big Basin State Park

Incident: 00558 Type: Report of Fire Location: 0 Lodge Rd Loc Desc: BIG BASIN STATE PARK 37�07’18.27N / 122�09’22.74W Lat/Lon: 37.178621 -122.189388
Detail Information
8:05 PM 3 [8] 1039 STATE PARKS, PARKS ENRT, CALFIRE ENRT
7:56 PM 2 [2] RP SEES DARK SMOKE, LRG AMT OF SMOKE GOING OVER EAGLE ROCK
7:55 PM 1 [1] RP SEES PLUME OF SMOKE NEAR IN BIG BASIN REDWOOD STATE PARK – ON EASTERN BOUNDARY NEAR LODGE RD