Friday night, on the way home from a gathering of old time big sur women (that ought to set the spine a tingling) I found some campers on my road. Now, my road is closed. They went around a barricade. No camp fires, thankfully, but still, they went around a barricade. So, I did what any Big Sur mountain woman would do. I confronted them. They confronted me back, so I informed them I would be calling the cops if they did not leave. They refused. I called the cops. I went back down to give them the opportunity to leave before the cops got there. They refused. They tried to intimidate me. Leaned against my driver’s door, shined bright lights in my eyes, and sundry other intimidation tactics. Hey, a gun MIGHT work, but these tactics? I’ve been here too long. So, this is what we are dealing with, folks. No camp fires, but lit cigarettes, cars parked on grass, and they really do NOT get it.

Any bets about whether the same MCSO officers who arrested us, intimidated us, threatened us, even respond?

One thing I did not notice when I took the picture above, is that among the goods in the back of the truck is a box which, while partially obscured, says in all probability “oak hardwood firewood.” If I’d seen that, I would have gone even more ballistic than I did. But, I did get the license plate, clearly and visibly, and a couple others of some of the people there, before they started shining flashlights into my lens and standing in front of my camera.

**UPDATE**Read the incredible account of the Fire Monks! Blow-by-blow, takin’ names, and kickin’ well, you know what. What a story!! It brought tears to my eyes. It is a very detailed compassionate account, like no other. It is listed below, but the fastest way to get to the story is to click on the link in my blog roll. Please take a moment to read this first installment.

http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/display.asp?catid=4,209&pageid=1298

Got a town run, folks. For those of you IN town, it is like, “huh?” Well out here in Never-never land, a town run, for me, especially north, is two hours, one way.

Anyway, a few notes. Cachagua’s hostage situation has, or is, ended. Check my links for further details.

**Damage assessment forms (all businesses and self-employed) as well as homeowners damage forms and other OES information now posted on surfire2008.wordpress.com** Still no word on disaster vs. emergency classification for FEMA assistance.

So far, the vote is 2 to 1 for a USFS meeting on 7/31 in the early afternoon. So, unless I hear otherwise, I will call Bradford on Monday and suggest an early afternoon meeting.

Now, on to the next phase. I will post the BAER meeting notes when I receive them, as i am completely mobile, now.

Along those same notes, a new organization is forming called “seedsforbigsur.com” making plans to reseed the burn area. If you have something to offer, send an email to: info@seedsforbigsur.com and detail how and when you want to be involved and what you can offer.

Much to do before spring, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, and not-so-ladies, and almost gentlemen. Remember what it can be like again? A reminder below.

This just posted: “USFS BAER Team Leader Kevin Cooper, BSVFB Fire Chief Frank Pinney, and Danny Marquis from NRCS will explain the plan for rehab of burn area to the community Thursday, 6PM at the Multi-Agency center in Big Sur. This will be an important meeting for anyone interested in seeing what, if anything, can be done to avoid the mudslide problems that plagued the Big Sur valley after the ‘72 fire.”

That’s Thursday as in TOMORROW! I cannot go, but am looking for someone who will, and take notes to email me, and get contact info for these people. TIA

After notice of the opening of Pfeiffer Beach, I called the USFS and the gal who answered the phone (sorry, I broke my own rule and did not get her name) said that negotiations are under way to open Pfeiffer Beach, Plaskett, (I think she means Sand Dollar)& Mill Creek Day Use Area, but NO current plans to open the rest of the Los Padres Forest in the Monterey District, due to active fire, and increased fire danger. No word on campgrounds, which do not seem to be included at the moment. Official notice tonight or tomorrow. Trust me, I will be calling once or twice a week to stay on top of this, so that I can keep my gates open in case of emergency, and I will post here what I learn.

Still no call backs from Bradford re community meeting for south coast landowners. Robert spoke with Farr’s office, who will help arrange this.

Oh, and a handy new website I found that has downloadable copies of all the official notices (in case you need them for work, like I do) can be found here: http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/PR_OES/default.asp (it is a posted link in the blog roll to the right)

Today’s photograph was sent to me by my friend, Debbie Reed, Office Manager of Blaze Engineering. She has no idea who erected the sign. In our thoughtful thank-yous to the firefighters, we often forget those civilian dozer operators who cut the lines for us. So, this is for them, and all the crew at Blaze, McQueen, etc. as well as those crews we don’t even know. Without the triad of the hand crews, the dozer crews, and the air support working together, this MONSTER would have been worse than it is!! A Big Thank YOU!!

I did not do many drugs in the 60’s. I was a whuss, then. In the 80’s I did my share. But now? In 2008? I swear, adrenaline is the drug of 2008. I had to overnight something to the Court of Appeal — they will not leave me alone in this midst of this — and so rushed to town south. There is no cell service, well, sporadic cell service, but shortly after I got out of town, I checked my voice mail. New thermal, close to my home.

Now that the road is open, I had to run over 25 tourists vehicles, and 3 HUGE motorhomes on the way home. I kept waiting for a CHP to pull me over. I must say, while I could get away with A LOT as a cute young thing, in my 30s and 40’s, I can get away with even more as an “I don’t give a shit” woman in her 50’s. As I write, it was a computer glitch — there is NO fire here.

Certain responsibilities go with buying a private piece of property 14 years ago that up until 20 years ago, when the USFS realized it wasn’t theirs, housed a look-out tower. The USFS tore it down when the then land-owner offered them the opportunity to rent it for $1 a year. If they rented it, they’d have to staff it. Better to pay $50 million to fight the fire, than $25K to prevent it. Makes sense to me. THIS is our government at work. I could get on my soapbox, but I’ve got a lotta miles to cover before I sleep tonight.

So, I could share the maps that started this scare (I have 4) but I spoke with Fire Chief Division Commander (don’t you love these titles?) Carl Goodman, who assured me there was no fire south of Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. Don’t panic. I did NOT ask him about Rodeo Flats or Cone Peak.

So instead, I will share three photos taken by our neighbors to the north. Unfortunately, I do not know the photograper’s name, but will be happy to give him or her credit, once I do. (or remove them upon request.)

DC-10 on RIGHT side of mountain:

DC-10 on WRONG side of mountain:

The peanut gallery:

Ain’t life grand?

This am, inciweb reported: “Monday, the fire spotted over the line near Rodeo Flats Trail. Hand crews worked in difficult terrain to contain the spot. Light fire activity and weather conditions aided those efforts.”

Melissa Marron sent me this old photograph, taken about 25 years ago of her and a friend. (Melissa is obviously the redhead on the left.) I’m hoping she’ll add a comment, once she realizes I FINALLY succeeded in getting this uploaded! Also, thanks to Everitt Chase for some subtle enhancements to the faded color.

While we still have to keep an eye on the Rodeo Flats area behind Cone Peak, as well as Chew’s Ridge slop over on the north, we are none-the-less moving from fire fighting to fire recovery, it seems appropriate to remember who we are and why we are here. This photo does that for me.

Melissa writes of this photograph:

“I think it may have been taken by my mom, or maybe Don or maybe Anna Bostwick…really can’t remember…it’s actually a shot of myself and Kelly Bostwick, gathering wildflowers on the downslope below the deck. It’s a quintessential shot, and really gives the sense of the precarious perch that the homestead sat on.

I have so many fond memories of that place – I remember when Josh and Neva were born, and used to babysit both of them. I have another photo of Gabe Case, myself and my brother with a foot long trout we caught out in front of River Inn…I just have so much love for the family and community in the larger sense.”

Also, for those who have not seen it, there is an article in today’s Monterey Herald with interviews with a number of Big Surians about the day the fire started.
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_9885174?source=most_viewed

First, if you want a chuckle, go to the Cachaguastore blog linked in my blogs list in the right column. This guy is hilarious, and tells it like it is, from the other side of the fire.

Second, Robert and I are trying to organize a community meeting with the USFS (IF they return my call) to discuss the rest of the fire season, USFS plans, and our concerns. Will keep you informed of whether we are successful. (Not being negative, just practical. They have a lot on their collective plate, at the moment.)

Third, I have once again contacted my source at the LA Times (who broke the Curtis story) and suggested an investigative piece to follow-up; looking at who made the decision to lock down Big Sur (and Cachagua), why that decision was made, how the decision came about, etc. etc. I think this is the only way we will get the complete and truthful story behind this insane action.

washing off gel………………….picking up fire hoses…………………repairing gates

Lastly, just a reminder that many of our north coast friends need our help. Work parties being organized. Check with your favorite north coaster to find out who needs help and what you can do.
CLEAN UP TIME!!

LATE NIGHT ADDITION: the firefighterblog has done a wonderful job looking at possible explanations, and many more questions about why the USFS left the 5 monks to defend Tassajara by themselves. Read it here:
http://firefighterblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/tassajaras-fire-monks-story-remains.html

After looking off my deck (the best information for me and south coast neighbors), checking the thermal images for the past couple days, checking online sources, it appears as if the “slop over” at the Rodeo Flats containment line has been resolved. inciweb was reporting that the crews hoped to get the Rodeo Flats slop over contained last night, and from what I can tell, they suceeded. No new activity on thermals, no plumes, and not even much smoke visible. I can finally breathe.

As most of you know, as of this morning, Highway One is open to tourists all the way through. I am seeing online reports of lots of “looky-loos” even driving up people’s driveways!! So, be aware of the problems we are facing in this regard — people who are vying for the coveted Darwin Award.

The situation in Cachagua is not looking as good as ours is. There was a “slop over” (is that the new politically correct way of saying the back-burn got away?) in the Chew’s Ridge area and a Mandatory Evacuation was issued yesterday afternoon — a HARD closure. Please check the Cachagua sources (see tarawings.wordpress.com) regarding exact placement. There is also some confusion of the various evacuation notices in effect, and where they are.

So, I leave you with a photo of hope, of forests survived, and beauty enduring. A redwood forest at the bottom of Clear Ridge, north of River Inn. Taken 7/8/08.