This evening’s report

This morning’s report

7:30 pm – this is happening right behind Cindra Brimsmead’s house in CV. It is a planned dozer movement.

6:15 pm – This does not look good – from my look-out bigsurkate

5:30 – from Laurels Grade photo by Sandra O’Keefe Bellamy:

5:25 pm – Photo take from Osborne Ridge by Lucas Ryan just now:

4:46 pm – the winds have really picked up down here in the last hour … Winds gusting to 13 mph. That has cleared out some of the smoke, but I hope it is not impacting the fire. I am seeing a much larger plume on the west side of the fire, and it is a little bit darker on the east side.

3:04 pm – current plume shot from Laureles Grade by i Sandra O’Keefe Bellamy

11:45 am – for those who are having trouble identifying landmarks, mountains, etc. Here is a great link a reader sent me that I will also add to the links on the right:

Uncle Sam’s Mountain maps

One of the things that is so great about this link is it is specific to Monterey. Before this fire, I had never heard of the mountain, Uncle Sam’s Mountain out there on the east side.

7:00 am – Print this out and take with you to Billy Quon’s “Sur” restaurant in the Barnyard:

6:30 am – Extremely smoky down here, can’t really tell what is going on. Lots of burn out operations yesterday in the Cachagua, White Rock, Racho San Clemente area and was posting photos all evening. I’m getting updates, which I will post shortly – I get them in FB PM, email, and easiest (for me) comments in our locals reports post each day. First, let me get this up so you have something to comment on!

A series of photos of the operations and back fire ing at Rancho San Clemente by Bruce Dormody are over on their FB page, with great explanations about the geography.

7:57 pm from Mary Martin in Cachagua. Seems like a fitting one to end with, unless I get something I feel compelled to post. A day away is no fun when I am driving in the crazy traffic with crazy tourists for 4 and 1/2 hours.

Fresno Fire Engine being towed by two Cal Fire Dozers:

From Aletha Parker on Saddle Mountain watching the back fire behind White Rock and Rancho San Clemente.

5:30 pm – these photos were taken this afternoon from approximately 3:30 to 5:00 pm by Sandy O’Keefe Bellamy from Laurels Grade. All indications are this was a planned back burn – looks like an awfully large back burn.

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8:30 am – from Bruce Dormandy at Rancho San Clemente:

“This is the back fire on the unnamed ridge which is now Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District open space (formerly the Los Compadres Ranch) This break is key to protecting the Cachugua. This burned very hot last evening as it backed down to the Carmel River.”

6:50 am – Today I need to do a supply run to the South. I will be leaving around 9-10 am or so. The first hour of my trip is in a dead zone, no cell. Then I will be in range for most of the day, but on and offline, as I accomplish my various stops – we all know the drill. These kinds of supply runs generally take 7 hours or so, given that travel time is often up to 4 hours with traffic. Mike will be taking care of approving comments and whatever else needs watching, and Lucas has already started getting the maps up for you and will continue to add to that, as necessary. You can still send things to me, and at each stop, I will check and forward to Mike if non-map related, and to Lucas if map-related. I’m ever so greatful for the help, but still not quite used to having “staff.” Let’s hope this is a great fire-fighting day.

IR flight for 0230 hours shows 43,434 acres for a growth of 2707 acres since the last flight.

For Immediate Release Contact: Office of Emergency Services
August 1, 2016 831-796-1900
Monterey County to Offer Local Assistance Center for Soberanes Fire Victims

A local assistance center will be available on Saturday, August 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Carmel Mission Inn, 3665 Rio Road in Carmel.

The center will offer information and services for those displaced/affected by the fire. Some of the agencies confirmed to attend are:

Monterey County Assessor’s Office – property tax relief
County Clerk – for record replacement
Department of Social Services – community benefits
Resource Management Agency – permit assistance, debris removal
State Department of Insurance – resolving insurance issues
State Contractors Licensing Board – information on hiring contractors
DMV- replacing Driver’s License, ID
Employment Development Department – unemployment services
Franchise Tax board – tax relief
Board of Equalization – business records
Monterey County Health Department – inspections, hazardous waste removal, counseling
Recovers – find goods and services offered by locals
American Red Cross – recovery assistance
SPCA of Monterey County – shelter for displaced pets, pet food supplies.
Food Bank for Monterey County – food

For updated information about the event, please contact the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services at 796-1900 or 2-1-1.

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