Yesterday, there were two fires in SLO County. The largest, a couple hundred acres, was on Camp Roberts. The second started on the center divider of 101 and spread to the north bound lanes, near Welsona. CAL FIRE picked this one up. There was also a smoke check by LPNF for the west fork of Limekiln. The biggest fire, so far, was Wednesday and Thursday at training area 8 on Fort Hunter Leggitt. That one I and a neighbor smelled a strong smell of smoke Thursday night all the way up here.
A gentle reminder that fire season is here and we need to be cautious and aware.
I have had two wonderful guys here for the last two days (weed-wacking, brush clearing, and tree trimming) and what a difference! I had a bunch of weed-wacking done last month, also. We have one more day left, Thursday, and we will be done, except for the CDCR guys on the steep north side that Cal-Fire promised me under the South Coast Fire Mitigation grant. I will also do some heavy equipment work with the burn piles, and access, but now I can see what it needs! Thank you, John Handy, Lara, and Jon! I will easily meet my matching funds target, and I couldn’t be more pleased.
I can actually begin to see how this all can be managed, and made almost park-like, but still wild, without the grass. I can see where an orchard can go next winter, and paths I can meander. Such a joy – not to mention making my place SOOOO much safer for me and for firefighters. 2000 was the last time a fire came through here, and finally, I am prepared. Firefighters will find it a joy to come through or to here, now. Still the wild and untamed South Coast of Big Sur, but with the gentle hand of bigsurkate caressing her cheek.
(BTW, first, since i posted about my fire clearance today, I figured, even though it rained a bit yesterday, and it is still early in June, it is time to switch over from winter weather, to summer fire links. Also, I’ll be copying this to the Big Sur Fire Mitigation Grant, South Coast Version page soon, and adding before and after photos, as well as a final report upon completion. Any participants are invited to do the same!)
Guess it is time to change over from my winter weather watch to summer fire watch links on the right. Will try to get to that ASAP, but hard to think fire at the moment, unless it is a fire in my wood stove! (It was in the 30’s last night)
Date: May 23, 2012 Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Ave. #150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117
CONTACT: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759 http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf
Los Padres Implements High Response for Declared Fire Season
GOLETA, CA…Los Padres National Forest officials announced that wildland firefighters will transition into a “high response” posture beginning May 25 in conjunction with the declared start to fire season. This action is based on low plant moisture levels and increasingly dry conditions across the Central Coast and inland regions. The Forest Service is adopting this heightened posture along with fire departments throughout the local area.
“This past winter and spring saw below average rainfall, and with a hot summer ahead of us we need to take precautions against wildfire starts,” said Los Padres Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez. “Our fire staff is shifting to high response and we’ll be prepared for whatever the (fire) season brings.”
As seasonal fire staff report for duty, suppression resources will reach full capacity. The Reload Base at Santa Maria Airport will have full-time staffing throughout fire season. Although Santa Maria is not a Tanker Base, the Forest Service will request air tanker support through national federal emergency managers in the event of a large fire. Full staffing at the Reload Base will ensure that whenever national or Cal Fire air assets are available, the Forest Service will ensure retardant is efficiently reloaded onto the aircraft.
“The Reload Base at Santa Maria is a force multiplier for the Forest and the community,” said Los Padres Fire & Aviation Chief Anthony Escobar. “The retardant loading operation is based on a quick turnaround. It’s ready to go whenever it’s needed and tankers are on-site.”
Forest officials estimate that Level II fire restrictions will take effect next month, and visitors are reminded to exercise caution when enjoying recreation activities in Los Padres.
Vegetation Fire near 101 and Perris Valley Rd. Mutual aid being sent with E3461, E7462, A/A, and T74. Notified by a retired fire capt living in Paso Robles. Up here, it is quite breezy. The Salinas Valley area is known for its afternoon winds. Will report more when I have more.
UPDATE: Contained at 2 acres.
REMINDER: In 2008, before I ever even thought of blogging, our fire season started on April 17th, with a ten-acre fire just south of Esalen. My friend, and fellow blogger, Mike of firefighterblog wrote about it here.
This winter has produced little rain, and even with the rain expected this month, we are still considerably behind in our normal rainfall totals. That will translate to a very dangerous fire season, and one which starts earlier than usual. Remember, the Basin Fire started 6/21.
Even now, still in winter, we have experienced problems with “controlled” burns. Remember the one on 2/7 across the highway from Gorda Mountain? John sent me this photo, but it got lost in the shuffle, until now. Compare the height of the flames to the firefighter facing them. This started out as a controlled burn (on an extremely windy day – please take the time to read the guidelines at the end of this post regarding backyard burning).
Gorda Mountain Fire by John Galuszka
And Tuesday, when the Long House burned down? There was another incident of a controlled burn that was thought to be out on Lower Pfeiffer Ridge, but reignited two days later when the property owner had left. Fortunately a tenant was checking in on things up there. (As reported by Lee-Ann Acterberg.)
After the Long House fire, Cheryl, the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade chief sent out this reminder at the end of her report to residents in the area:
“Remember, the fire season is here … I can’t say it enough this is setting up to be a very long, very bad fire season … please do your fire clearance now … it’s too late when the fire is at your front door.”
Your Fire Chief
Cheryl Goetz
This was sent out at the beginning of the backyard burn season by the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade, so I’ve modified it slightly, but it serves as a good reminder until Fire Season officially opens, and ALL burns are banned:
Backyard Burn Season will end April 30, 2012 (if not before). As a reminder you must remember the following:
1. Burn ONLY on approved burn days. Call 800-225-BURN (2876) on the day that you would like to burn or after 3 PM the day before, to determine if it will be permissible to burn. Please call the fire brigade after you have determined that it is a permissive burn day.
2. As a courtesy to your neighbors notify them of your intent to burn.
3. Burn piles that are 4′ x 4′ x 4′ of dry material grown on your property, no manufactured, painted, or treated lumber, debris, plastics, garbage, tires, etc.
4. Clear a line down to mineral soil at least 18 inches around the entire pile. Have tools and water at hand while burning. You must be in attendance until the fire is out, and cold.
5. Burning Hours are 7 AM to 3 PM. Do not add any more material to your pile after 3 PM. The fire should be out before dark.
8. DON’T burn on windy days, even though it may be a burn day. If your fire escapes your control you will be responsible for suppression costs, damages, fines, and possibe civil liability lawsuits.
Sent to me by Tom Deyerle. He lives directly across the canyon and above the Long House, so he got an incredible view of the entire fire from start to finish. Thanks, Tom for sharing! Long House Fire by Tom Deyerle
Here is a second one Tom took, one of the last. Long House Fire #2 by Tom Deyerle
11:00 pm – this report just in around an hour ago from Bette Nelson. The house that burned was the Long House. It was occupied by the homeowner, Susie Barnett, and her renter Jeff and his 3 dogs at the time of the fire. Bette is reporting that the latest she heard was that it was probably started by a downed power line, not a transformer.
Also see the comment posted at 11 pm by Scott Bogen below, who is a volunteer Mid-Coast Fire Brigade member, who has first-hand knowledge of this fire and tells what he knows. Thanks Bette and Scott for bringing us all up-to-date.
Our prayers go out to Susie and Jeff and hope they can find interim housing and that Susie can rebuild.
4:30 pm – report is that the fire is out. One hour and 15 minutes – great job Mid-Coast Fire Brigade and Cal Fire!! Congratulations on a good save. I am very sorry for the family that lost their home, however. It was reported to me that it was from a transformer that landed on their porch. I certainly hope PG&E will be helping them rebuild!
4:00 – reports that a propane tank exploded, and that Mid-Coast and/or Cal-Fire are asking the CHP to assist in road closures. Unclear which roads at this time. Vegetation is reported at approximately 1/2 acre.
3:40: UPDATE: IT IS GARRAPATOS. See this comment:
Kate, The fire is in a house above us at the end of Garrapatos Rd off of Palo Colorado. They think it was from a downed transformer. Midcoast fire & Cal fire are on site. We can see the flames & smoke from our house which down in the canyon near the creek.
Bette Nelson.
Also reported structure fully engulfed and a second structure threatened.
3:18 pm – Structure involved. No further details. This is a call-out on the CB, so I have not confirmed information, yet.
If this is the real McCoy, winds will play a major role, as it is howling in Big Sur proper, as well as up here.
Catching up is hard to do, and I have announcements, reports, photos, up the whazzo to post.
If all goes well, and it hasn’t so far, I have 4 or 5 photographs of yesterday’s fire sent in by readers, showing different points of view. Quite fascinating to see the fire from different perspectives. Okay, it has been a couple hours, unknown what the problem is, as I have 4 bars, but can’t surf the internet. I’ll get them up when I can.
First, here WILL BE two from Wally Barnick of Coast Outfitters, and one from Sander Koning, of Nepenthe, and one from Joshua Gallo Hernandez, of Ventana – WHEN this blasted internet gremlin moves somewhere else!
Nepenthe Fire by Wally Barnick (12/2/11)Nepenthe Fire #2 by Wally Barnick (12/2/11)Nepenthe Fire by Sander Koning (12/2/11)Nepenthe Fire by Joshua Gallo Hernandez (12/2/11)
4:30 pm – the evacuation order for Ventana has been lifted. Good news.
3:50 pm – As of 3:07 pm, a car fire that spread into the vegetation has caused the closure of Highway One in both directions. As of this moment, The Restaurant at Ventana has been evacuated. Air Support is on its way. More information to follow.
