4;30 pm – It started this afternoon, but I have taken the day off (it IS my birthday) and was in town. I am informed that they would not let people through Nacimiento-Fergusson RD. It was reported as only 2-3 acres in Stony Valley, and it is just May, so probably all is fine. I will post further when I get home, if necessary.

8:00 pm – the “Bob” Fire (Camp Roberts) is holding at 1500 acres and is 40% contained. Hopefully, as often happens, it will “lay down” tonight. The smoke drift is visible here on the South Coast, particularly over Willow Creek.

6:30 pm – A/A is reporting 1500 acres ad making good runs. Also, from the scanner: “Just heard SLO send two rigs up to M/C  (Monterey County) for a veg fire on Interlake Rd. with a cross of San Antonio Rd. …engs. 3472 an 3481 have been sent up to it” Bob is making its way in a different direction, toward San Marco RD.

6:00 pm – 6 tankers working it now

4:50 pm – 600 acres and it jumped the Nacimiento River

4:20 pm – 500 acres. Photos by viewers of SLOStringer

3:30 pm – Currently there are two fires burning in Atascadero – one structure and one veg. Equipment and A/A pulled off the veg fire for a new fire burning on or near Camp Roberts. One report is it is on Avery RD. And Bivwac RD. One report from an observer:
“This thing has already generated pyrocumulus clouds…. uneven-sounding firefight…. I.C. requesting five more engines…. and just told SLU that the fire has jumped the river (I assume the Nacimiento River, not the Salinas River) and “has nothing to stop it.”

 

Fire Safe Council Recommends Reducing Vegetation Now (I started the weed eating process just a few days ago … Takes a while)

To Help Avoid Catastrophic Wildfires This Summer

The rainy season is coming to a close on the Central Coast, but recent rains have helped sprout denser-than-usual grass, weeds and brush, which can serve as volatile fuel for dangerous wildfires.

The Fire Safe Council For Monterey County is advising that residents and businesses maintain defensible space around their homes and buildings to help protect lives and property from wildfires.

Now is the time to reduce vegetation around structures, before the days get drier and warmer, and the summer wildfire season arrives. By preparing early this spring, it can make a huge difference in the event of a fire in the summer months.

California law (PRC 4291) generally requires owners and lessees of structures located in areas subject to wildfires to reduce vegetation within 100 feet of the structures.

This area of reduced vegetation around structures is part of what is called “defensible space,” which also includes areas along emergency access routes and other places where vegetation should be reduced to help protect lives and preserve the environment.

You can download CAL FIRE’s Guidelines For Creating Defensible Space by clicking here: Guidelines

CAL FIRE encourages communities to create community-wide defensible space. The Fire Safe Council For Monterey County can help residents accomplish that goal by providing assistance with grant applications to obtain funds to help make the community more fire safe.

The council can act as a “fiscal sponsor” for a fuel reduction grant by receiving and administering grant funds for home owner associations and groups of neighbors. This makes it possible for groups that are not incorporated as tax-exempt organizations to apply for and receive grants.

You can download the council’s new tri-fold brochure by clicking here: Brochure

For more information on creating defensible space or help obtaining grants, contact the Fire Safe Council at any of the following:

2221 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 333-2600 (Office)
(831) 333-2660 (Fax)
http://www.firesafemonterey.org
info@firesafemonterey.org

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You are receiving this email because you have shown interest in the Fire Safe Council For Monterey County and/or the Monterey County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. To be removed from FSCMC’s email list please use the unsubscribe link below.

There was one in Ventura, that looks like it is under control, and now this one for which T-74 and T-75 out of Paso have been sent. Dispatch said it was on Interlake RD. In Bryson-Hesperia. Let’s hope it stays as small. Still early, so shouldn’t be too big.

Recent Incidents (Prepared 05/12/2016 14:30)

Date Inc # Name Type Location WebComment Resources IC Fuels Acres Lat/Lon
05/12/2016 14:29 LPF-1242
New Wildfire . . . . . . 35.837 x 121.039

Also, you may notice that I am in the process of my twice a year seasonal change from weather to fire links on the right hand side. I use many of these links to check on information which is reported on my blog.