Both WildCAD – LPF and wildlandfire are reporting several California federal resources, including our local Engine 17 have been sent off to the Bastrop Complex Fire:
“USFS R5 resources committed on R/Os to Bastrop so far [yesterday], per wildcad entries:
BDF: E16, E53
LPF: E17, E73
SNF: E11, E14, E42, E51
STF: E33, E34, E46
SHF: E23, E334, E53, E62, & WT46
MNF: E3-33, E53
MDF: E45
SRF: (processing)
HTF: E423”

Also, the local WildCAD reported several local wildfires last night. Since there is no further reporting I have found, I provide this for info only, and I won’t be continuing coverage on these unless warranted.

With permission, I am reproducing a column written for SLO Coast Journal, an online magazine, as a guest column for my blog. It can be found online here: SLO Coast Journal

“Jade – Be a Gem, Practice Patience

by Michele Oksen

So many beautiful landscapes, seascapes, people, foods, and fun activities make our SLO Coast a great place to live or visit. And if you’re in the market for acquiring some kind of treasure from this area you’re in luck because we have them everywhere. Even something as seemingly ordinary as a stone from one of our beaches can be a cherished prize.

Big Sur Jade Festival

Take jade for example. Walk along the shoreline and you might just find some on your own, if you know what to look for. Or you could be certain your collection is jade if you just take a drive up Highway One and stroll around the 20th annual Big Sur Jade Festival. At this event—just 35 miles north of Hearst Castle at the Pacific Valley School—you will discover jade at its finest. Mark your calendars because this year the popular celebration is the weekend of October 7th through 9th. At the gathering you’ll also enjoy live music, works of art, crafts, and food.

Some of the high quality jade that has been harvested from the central coast of California has been as small as a pebble or, some say, as large as a boulder. As our local jade awaits rock hounds on the shore or submerged beneath the waves, it is repeatedly rubbed, pressured, and provoked by the daily actions of its environment. Back and forth, tossed and turned by the treacherous tides, durable jade becomes polished and refined. It’s not a process that you might call painless or easy. Evolving into a priceless treasure takes friction, endurance, and patience. And as you may know from experience, patience isn’t called a virtue for nothing.

Thankfully, much like jade, humans are endowed with the strength to endure the daily grind with dignity and grace. That being said, it may not be something that comes without practice. To achieve self-discipline you need to exercise and develop it. Willpower alone may not always be enough. The wisdom to know your limits and the willingness to avoid circumstances that annoy you, may aid in triumph over tirades.

When you’re tired, stressed, or angry, self-control is at its weakest. The more you indulge in impulsive, impatient behavior, the less stamina you have to sustain patience. The secret is to find something to do while you tolerate the wait. The confidence and commitment it takes to be rewarded with bright and shiny results also takes creativity and maturity.

If you are one of those folks—like yours truly—who is a bit lacking in the patience department, you might consider keeping a jade stone in your pocket or wearing jade jewelry that you can grip when the going gets rough. This can serve to remind you of the value of patience. Next time you’re challenged by a situation that feels abrasive you can always touch your jade.

While in the midst of yet another opportunity to learn patience thank your lucky stars because you understand that you are becoming the accomplished and charming person you are meant to be. When you perceive the world through eyes of acceptance you have learned to live harmoniously with the forces of life.

As with jade, patience is precious.”

Remember, this year we celebrate 20 years of holding the Big Sur Jade Festival. Mark your calendars and join us on October 7th, 8th, and 9th.

The push is on to get the siding up and get the house weather proofed before the first rains. This Labor Day weekend, come volunteer your labor. All help much appreciated for any or all of the three day weekend.

I’m playing tourist in Big Sur, today, starting with a great teriyaki hamburger for lunch at Lucia. From here, I head to Big Sur Valley and do a bit of shopping, the meet friends at River Inn, and eventually, head to Ventana for dinner. Lucky me.

The good thing about this is that I can use the wifi at various places to get some of the photos us I have wanted to get up for a this last week.

Here are a few:

I’ll be back later – on to touristy things!

I have been trying to post this photo I took last Sunday, showing the fire restrictions, but as those who follow me know, I’ve been besieged by internet and cell phone demons lately.

Tonight, the USFS came out with its official announcement, so I thought I’d give it a try:

Date: August 18, 2011 Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Ave. #150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117
CONTACT: Public Affairs Officer – Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759 http://fs.usda.gov/lpnf
or
Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745

Fire Restrictions in Los Padres Take Effect August 18

GOLETA, CA…In response to the increasing potential for a wildland fire start, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Level 2 Fire Restrictions will be implemented throughout the forest beginning August 17, 2011. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials and internal combustion engines, and will remain in effect until the end of fire season in late autumn.

Beginning August 18, 2011, the following restrictions will be in effect:

· No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (EXHIBIT A) even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office). Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times during use.

· Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

· Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.

“The heavy rains that fell over the winter and into the spring gave a boost to our forest vegetation,” Los Padres Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez said. “But as the plant moisture levels drop, we all need to be extra cautious when we’re spending time in the forest.”

For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf or contact the Forest Service district office nearest you.

EXHIBIT A
Campfire Use Sites

Monterey Ranger District
Arroyo Seco Campground / Group Camp
Arroyo Seco Day Use Area
Bottchers Gap Campground
China Camp
Escondido Campground
Kirk Creek Campground
Nacimiento Campground
Mill Creek Day Use Area
Plaskett Creek Campground / Group Camp
Ponderosa Campground
Sand Dollar Day Use Area
Santa Lucia Memorial Park Campground
White Oaks Camp

Ed note: outside of those listed above, in other words, all the “informal” campgrounds, with or without a fire ring, campfires are NOT allowed, and building one is a federal misdemeanor which can result in a substantial fine, jail time, or both.

Energy Upgrade California Program comes to Big Sur,

Friday, August 19, 7 pm at Big Sur Grange

Big Sur Advocates for a Green Environment (B-SAGE) is hosting an Energy Upgrade California program on Friday August 19th featuring Ecology Action speaker, Aleah Lawrence-Pine.

California’s new statewide energy efficiency program, Energy Upgrade California, works to increase energy efficiency and create green jobs. This unprecedented program emphasizes a “whole house” approach, in which a home is viewed as a complete system. All of the elements and systems—heating, air conditioning, water, and structural features like windows, ducts and insulation—should work together effectively to minimize energy use. Typical upgrade measures include air sealing, attic insulation, low flow shower heads and duct sealing to name a few.

With homeowner rebates and incentives up to $4,000, Energy Upgrade California expects to upgrade 100,000 homes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create approximately 12,000 jobs statewide.

This “win-win” program is reaching out to on small communities, like ours, so make plans to come and hear how it can benefit you. For further info, see http://www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org. or email aleah Lawrence-Pine at alpine@ecoact.org.

Sorry it took so long to get this up, but as I said, I have been battling internet difficulties for a while. Seems to be sporadically good. I’m still working on it, but decided when I could not get on with my computer through one Verizon wifi card and 120v. booster, or with iPhone and a different 12 v. booster between 1 pm and 9 pm, that perhaps it is not me, but is Verizon and/or its tower(s). Mine is in San Ardo.

We will see how this goes, but next week, if it doesn’t substantially improve, I will try calling Verizon.

One of my neighbors spotted a plume south of N-F RD and east of Cone Peak. I see nothing from here, and am having trouble With my Internet, so doing a quick post from my iPhone, hoping to get this up. I can’t check my usual sources for verification, so if anyone wants to check, and post their findings, please do so in the comment section below.

I have no information to confirm or refute this and would love to know what is going on.

Please keep each other posted, while I continue to work on getting reliable Internet, again.

The hills are absolutely crawling with hunters and campers this weekend, as deer season has started.

I counted the campsites coming up last night after dark, and I counted 15. Most of those were hunters. I counted campfires – only 3. Not a single one of the hunters had campfires. They had stoves and lanterns. It was the campers who had fires, and one of them was very large.

But before heading up the mountain, I was treated to this on the coast:

Now that I’ve successfully got these two images posted, I will go back to the fog, and see if I can post those two. Enjoy. Several announcements tomorrow.

It is summer. It can be and has been foggy on the coast. It has been high and thick on and off for days!

It is one of my favorite times to photograph the forest. Here are a few I took recently.

I had three I intended to upload, and may yet, tomorrow, but for now, this is all I have the patience for. My internet service — or something — has been less than sporadic for a couple weeks, now. I am getting beyond frustrated, and so, when I have the time, a call is in order. More when I can.

Try it again…okay, maybe not.

From Joyce Duffy:

“Don Case HouseRaising next phase this week, right now! Windows, doors, siding. Help is welcome.” Don Case’s phone number for info, instructions, directions or whatever is: 601-7798.

Here is a current look: