Category: 2019 Fire Season

Vegetation Fire in Bradley Area

Stock Photo

3:30 pm – 100% contained at 32 acres.

12:45 pm – in less than one hour this has grown to 20 acres per Cal Fire, BEU.

SLO, MoCo, and MCSO responding to a vegetation fire 1 mile north of the SLO/MoCo line. It was from a burn barrel that escaped and was 1 acre when reported. It is near the intersection of Indian Valley Road & Hidden Creek Road. Air Attack out of Paso Robles is on scene as are Tankers 74 and 75. SLO Cal Fire sent a couple dozers as well.

Fire in Atascadero

Per KSBY: “The Atascadero fire department says the fire is near Highway 41 and San Gabriel on San Marcos Road.”

2:40 pm – From a source: “heard that Atascadero just broke a veg fire….out off of San Marcos Rd. ….just heard some of the residents are evacuating. Sounds like they have some structures being threatened. Sounds like it jumped San Marcos Rd., with spotting.” He is listening to the SLO Scanner.

From CHP website:

2:33 PM6[14] [Notification] [CHP]-IC AT 10225 SAN MARCOS RD // THEY WILL BE DECIDING SHORTLY WHERE THE ROAD CLOSURES WILL BE [Shared]
2:33 PM5[13] [Notification] [CHP]-ATASCADERO PD REQ CHP TO ASSIST IN ROAD CLOSURES FOR VEGETATION FIRE [Shared]
2:19 PM4[9] [Appended, 14:20:26] [1] REQ INFO ON FIRE AND IF AREA BEING EVACUATED
2:10 PM3[7] FIRE HEADING TWDS HOUSES
1:59 PM2[3] BRUSH FIRE
1:59 PM1[1] FIRE IS SPREADING

The Dangers of Illegal Off roading

This was taken last year, but as the prolific grasses are drying out, I am reminded of this, and how dangerous it is. Besides destroying the environment, causing erosion which washes out the road below (not shown in photo), off roading can cause a wildfire if the grasses catch from your muffler or catalytic converter. Why take a chance? Stay on the roads please.

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And now, a growing number of “Subaru Ambassadors” have found these spots (the one below is just up the road from this one above) and more and more Subarus are coming every weekend. A month ago, it was a group of 4 Subarus. This past weekend, it was those four, plus four more, and at least two more want to join the group on the next trip.

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May 1, 2019 SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – The National Interagency Fire Center is predicting a heavy wildfire season for areas along the West Coast of the United States this summer.

The Boise, Idaho-based center said Wednesday that most of the country can expect a normal wildfire season in the period from May through August.

But the states of California, Washington and Oregon are an exception.

The agency says a heavy crop of grasses and fine fuels has developed across California and should elevate fire potential as it dries through the summer.

 

Big Sur Fire 45th Anniversary Open House

Contact: Chief Matt Harris, 831.667.2113 or email lweeks@bigsurfire.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 29, 2019

Big Sur Fire Hosts Community Open House at Station 1

Celebrating 45 Years of Emergency Services in Big Sur

Big Sur, CA – Big Sur Fire (BSF) announces a Community Open House celebrating its 45th Anniversary of serving Big Sur Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 1 pm until 4 pm at Station 1 (47900 Highway 1) in Big Sur.

Big Sur Fire was formed in 1974 to provide structure fire protection for the residents and businesses in the Big Sur area.  BSF now provides both structure and wildland fire protection, along with rescue and emergency medical response for the Big Sur community and its over 5 million annual visitors. BSF remains an all-volunteer company, with about 25 members, responding to an area which covers almost 60 miles of coastline along Highway One.  

May 4 also marks the celebration of International Firefighters’ Day – a time where the world’s community can recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.  The program honoring all current and past Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade members (the original incorporated name) will be held at 2: 30 pm.  Former BSF Firefighter John Handy will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  

Big Sur Fire will have its apparatus on display and firefighters are available to answer questions.  The day will include photos with fire apparatus; demonstrations of fire equipment; and lots of good food provided by Big Sur’s finest.  Donations are coming from Treebones; Esalen Institute; Coast Gallery & Café; Deetjen’s; Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn; Big Sur Bakery; Big Sur Taphouse; Fernwood; and Big Sur River Inn.

“We are so fortunate to have the support from our Big Sur community for this special 45thAnniversary Celebration.  Post Ranch Inn and all of the fine restaurants in Big Sur have made this day possible,” Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris said. “We look forward to seeing many of our old friends who have participated in the Brigade over these past 45 years.”

 

Park and Shuttle will be at Post Ranch Inn.    

 

The mission of the Big Sur Fire is to provide dependable fire protection and emergency services for Big Sur with teamwork, respect and integrity.  

BBC Article on firefighting in Palo

Citizen firefighters combat blazes in California’s ‘forgotten canyon’

By Lucy Sherriff, BBC News 
NOTE: GOT A CALL FROM CHERYL RE THIS TODAY AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE CAN CONTACT THE AUTHOR TO CORRECT ANY FACTUAL  INACCURACIES BY REQUESTING AN INTERVIEW. I ALSO OFFERED CHERYL THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE HER OWN REBUTTAL TO THIS STORY WHICH I WOULD THEN PUBLISH.

 

California firefighterImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES

For several consecutive years, fires have devastated the Californian coast, destroying lives, wildlife and homes. The fire service is under increasing pressure with fewer resources.
One former firefighter has decided to do something about it, and is setting up his own fire crew.
Eric Beninger, who lives in Palo Colorado Canyon in Big Sur, saw many of his neighbours’ homes destroyed by the 2016 Soberanes fire, one of the most expensive wildfires in US history.
The 2017 wildfire season was one of the worst in the state’s history, with more than 9,000 fires burning 1.2 million acres (500,000 hectares). Last year, the Paradise fire alone killed 74 people.
After witnessing the devastation of his own community, Mr Beninger decided to recruit his neighbours and train up an independent fire team to be on standby for future fires.

Beninger in his truck

“When the fire crews finally arrived, they had to decide which houses to just let burn,” he says. “Everything was on fire.”
The Soberanes fire, which burnt for three months, destroyed 57 homes and cost around $260m (£200m) to suppress. Of the 27 homes along Mr Beninger’s road, only eight survived.
The US Forest Service’s response was subsequently criticised for its handling of the fire. Even help from the region’s volunteer service – Big Sur Fire Brigade – wasn’t enough to stop the flames.
“After the fire started, the neighbours mostly fled,” Mr Beninger recalled. “A few of us stayed behind to protect our homes, because we knew we weren’t going to get help. We risked our lives to be here, not knowing what the fire would do.
“Where we live is difficult to reach, it’s secluded. And we were forgotten about.”

The Soberanes Fire seen from spaceImage copyrightNASA/ GETTYImage captionThe Soberanes fire seen from space

Mr Beninger is a carpenter, but used to be a firefighter with the US Forest Service in one of the hotshot crews – teams known as America’s “elite” firefighters due to the danger of their work.
He and two friends helped save three homes from burning – by using water bottles from the Red Cross.
“We had all these little tiny water bottles with Red Cross stickers on. And we were going to houses and putting out fires that threatened the whole home. We’d unscrew the bottle cap a little bit and squeeze them so the water squirted out, rather than just pouring.”
“We had a shovel – no chainsaws though, mine had burnt in the fire. We were just this tiny makeshift fire brigade in a pick-up truck with some water bottles.”
That’s where the idea began, said Mr Beninger, who soon after heard about a small fire truck for sale in nearby Carmel Valley. The owner gave it to him for half the price, and now it’s up to him to restore it and build a team.
The fire truck is built around a 1973 Dodge Power Wagon, and has a four wheel drive, meaning it can access the canyon’s almost-impassable dirt roads.

The 1973 Dodge Power Wagon fire truck, nicknamed Scarlett.Image captionThe 1973 Dodge Power Wagon fire truck, nicknamed Scarlett.

“At the moment we don’t have a big crew, but we’re speaking with another six neighbours and we’re going to do what we can. We’re going to give everybody basic fire training.”
Mr Beninger is planning barbecues, calendars – “men and women” he noted – and “whatever it takes” to drum up the $10,000 needed to get started.
“The best part is making our community tighter. Having the truck is one thing, but knowing how to use it and bringing everybody closer is more important. I don’t know if we’re going to be able to save any homes, but we’re going to try.”
Mr Beninger predicts the fire is “definitely” going to return.

Beninger at homeImage captionBeninger predicts more devastating wildfires are coming to California

“There are still materials here to burn, and they’re dry, and there’s more airflow now between everything, so it could be as bad, or even worse, a fire than we’ve had previously.”
CalFire and the US Forest Service are tasked with fighting fires in the region, but thanks to government funding cuts and an increase in demand, resources are stretched.

 

Structure Fire – Palo Colorado

Unfortunately, there was a fatality at this fire. Our heartfelt thoughts are with the family and friends.

Lower Green Ridge from Long Ridge, photo by Martha Diehl:

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Incident:  00082   Type:    Report of Fire   Location:   37927 Palo Colorado Rd  Loc Desc:  PALO COLORADO CREEK    Lat/Lon:  36.387123 -121.871551   
Detail Information
10:51 AM 4 [13] [Notification] [CHP]-MTRY SO DPTY FOR FD REQ CHP SHUT DOWN PALO COLORADO AT SR1 NO VEHS ONTO PALO COLORADO EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHS
10:31 AM 3 [8] PER SCANNER, FIRE REQ AIR 1141 TO LAND AT PALO/SR1
10:16 AM 2 [4] [Notification] [CHP]-SAL WOULD LIKE UNIT ON 459 TO BREAK AWAY AND RESP TO THIS INCIDENT
10:15 AM 1 [1] STRUCTURE FIRE