Currently, there have been no cloud to ground strikes in Big Sur that I have been able to locate, although I have heard thunder. Santa Cruz, on the other hand, has had numerous CG strikes. This is what I see now, at 10:30 am. They have put their lightning plan into action and dispatched an engine to each strike to make sure there is no fire.
Los Bueyes Fire — FHL
At 3:03 pm, Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) mapped this fire at 261 acres.

Last report was 15 acres, but I am sure it it greater than that. FHL, Cal Fire, and LPF are on it and it is anticipated it will go to 100 acres. I will get a photo up shortly. Continue reading “Los Bueyes Fire — FHL”
The Songs of Trees: Stories from Nature’s Great Connectors
From the preface by David George Haskell: “We cannot step outside life’s songs. This music made us. It is our nature.
Our ethic must therefore be one of belonging, an imperative made all the more urgent by the many ways that human actions are fraying, rewiring, and severing biological networks world wide. To listen to trees, nature’s great connectors is therefore to learn how to inhabit the relationships that give life its source, substance, and beauty.”
I want to learn to listen better, not just to the forest in which I live, but to the individual trees along my path. It is easy to listen to the live oak that shades my house, and which preceded me by centuries; the big leaf maples that planted themselves in my yard after the Wild Fire of 1996, and this glorious Quercus lobata that is also a volunteer from 1996. I babied them and tended them the first few years until they grew big enough and tall enough to care for themselves. Now, they nurture others. I just sit back and watch…and learn to listen to them.
Calling all State Park Volunteers
Hello, CA State Parks Volunteers!
Parks Environmental Scientists Amy and Jesse have asked if we can assist with more greenhouse work for fall plantings at Ft. Ord Dunes SP and Garrapata SP.
If you are available, we’d love your help at our third Asilomar Greenhouse Volunteer Day of the summer. For folks who haven’t been before, the work involves washing plant cells (pots), mixing soil, filling cells with soil, and sowing seeds. We’ll grow these plants out in the greenhouse, then plant them at restoration sites in the fall.
See below for details.
Asilomar Greenhouse Day #3
When: Monday, August 15th (9am-1pm)
Location: Asilomar Greenhouse. (Click link for map)
What: Cleaning cells, mixing soil, and sowing seeds to support restoration efforts at Garrapata SP and Fort Ord Dunes SP.
RSVP: Samuel.Winter@parks.ca.gov
Tools, training, coffee, pastries, and gloves provided. Drop in for as long as you’re able to!
Thank you for your help,
Sam
Sam Winter (he/him)
Forestry Aide
Volunteer Program Coordinator
California State Parks
Monterey District
Happy Birthday, Smokey
🧁🎉🐻Happy Birthday to our favorite fire prevention bear! Smokey Bear turns 78 today & all he’s asking for this birthday is for no new human-caused wildfire starts!
🔴🔥Fire danger is currently “extreme” — this means that fires start quickly, spread furiously & burn intensely.

Sunday Photos, 8/7/22


Lost Dog – UPDATE, DOG HAS RETURNED

One of our dogs is missing from our home on North Coast Ridge Rd.
I was hopping you could put out the word in case someone has seen/found him.
Thank you.
Scott Moffat
(831) 601-2159
Lane Closures Aug 8-13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMC CONE ZONE REPORT
ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR August 7 – August 13
MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, August 7 through Saturday, August 13 – newest information is in red. Please keep in mind that construction work is weather-dependent.
ALERT: OVERNIGHT CLOSURE STATE ROUTE 146: RAMUS RD – SAN BENITO COUNTY LINE: AUG. 8 – 10
There will be full closure of eastbound and westbound State Route 146 overnight between Ramus Road and the San Benito County Line for striping operation work from 10 pm – 6 am.
Highway 1: Granite Canyon Bridge: Long – Term
One-way traffic controls will be in place along northbound and southbound Highway 1 at Granite Canyon Bridge for bridge work from 8 am to 12 am.
Highway 1: Garrapata Creek Bridge: Long – Term
One-way traffic controls will be in place along northbound and southbound Highway 1 at Garrapata Creek Bridge for bridge.
Highway 1: San Luis Obispo County Line – Gorda: August 8 – August 12
One-way traffic controls will be in place along southbound Highway 1 between the San Luis Obispo County Line and Gorda for work along the shoulder of the highway from 7:15 am to 3:30 pm.
Highway 1: Just South of Lucia Lodge – Lime Creek Bridge: August 8 – August 12
One-way traffic controls will be in place along southbound Highway 1 between just south of Lucia Lodge and the Lime Creek Bridge for work along the shoulder of the highway from 7:15 am to 3:30 pm.
Highway 1: Big Sur Station (Multi Agency) – Bixby Creek Bridge: August 8 – August 12
There will be a moving lane closure along northbound Highway 1 from the Big Sur Station (Multi Agency) to the Bixby Creek Bridge for mowing operation work from 8 am – 2:30 pm.
Highway 1: Ventana Entrance – Nepenthe (North Entrance): August 9 – August 12
Alternating Lane closures will occur along northbound and southbound Highway 1 between the entrance to Ventana and the north entrance of Nepenthe for utility work 7 am to 3:30 pm.
Highway 1: Coastlands (Postmile 44.5): Long – Term
One-way traffic controls will be in place along northbound and southbound Highway 1 at Postmile 44.5 at a location known as Coastlands, approximately one mile north of the Henry Miller Library and .8 miles south of the Big Sur Post Office.
The 24/7 signalized controls will be in place dure to construction work to build a retaining wall and enhance drainage infrastructure. Garrapata Creek Bridge for bridge. Travelers can expect delays up to 10 minutes. Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the construction area.
Abandoned campfire & trash left behind
They must think their mother will be along any moment to clean up after them and put out their fire.
Sunday Photo, 7/31/22
A misty morning…











