Copperhead Fire

Copperhead Canyon is down between Lockwood and Bradley, on the southern most part of MoCo. A new wildfire broke out there this afternoon. Copperhead Canyon is 7 miles from Lockwood and 12 miles from Bradley. Here is what WildCAD published:

10/26/2020 12:55LPF-3241COPPERHEADWildfire75426 Copperhead Canyon RD.CRW1LPF DIV1LPF E18LPF E319LPF...35 50.052, -121 2.88024S R8E Sec 24.

Photo Sunday, 10/25/20

In honor of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn who is hoping to have good news for us and offer ways for us to support it by year’s end.

Deetjen’s

Highway One Road work next week

PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT CONTINUES ON STATE ROUTE 1

FROM BIG SUR TO CARMEL

MONTEREY COUNTY – A Caltrans pavement rehabilitation construction project along State Route 1 from the Torre Canyon Bridge in Big Sur to just south of Carpenter Street in Carmel will continue next week.

With most of the paving work complete, and with temporary striping and the center line rumble strip now installed, the next phase of this project will focus on permanent striping of the highway. It will also focus on installation of shoulder backing to conform the level of the newly paved road to existing shoulders, roads, and driveways.

Overnight roadwork will focus on placement of the permanent striping. Crews will move through various locations along the roadway and anticipate striping up to seven miles each night.

Every effort is being made so that, weather permitting, application of the permanent striping can take place along the entire length of the project over the course of one week.

This overnight work will take place from Sunday, Oct. 25, through Friday, Oct. 30.Overnight roadwork hours will be Sunday from 9 pm to 6 am, and Monday through Thursday from 7 pm to 6 am.

Because of the distances involved in the work zone, motorists overnight will encounter one-way traffic control and can expect delays of 20 to 25 minutes. 

Daytime work next week will focus on application of shoulder backing to conform the level of the newly paved road with existing roads and driveways.

Daytime roadwork hours will be Monday through Thursday, from 8 am to 3 pm, and Friday, from 8 am to 1 p.m.

Again, because of the longer range of the work area, motorists can expect daytime delays of 15 to 20 minutes, with occasional delays of up to 30 minutes.

Guardrail and permanent signage installation will also take place during daytime hours.

Electronic message signs will be activated to inform the public about this roadwork. This roadwork is necessary for the safety of travelers and to protect adjacent properties. The contractor for this $24 million project is Granite Rock Company of San Jose, CA. It is scheduled to be completed by next summer.

Below: Installation of Shoulder Backing Along Highway 1

Dolan/Coleman Fires, 10/23/20

DOLAN and COLEMAN FIRES
Friday, October 23, 2020 9:00 AM
Los Padres National Forest
DOLAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: August 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 124,924 acres Percent Contained: 98%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 208 personnel
• Engines: 2
• Handcrews: 3
• Helicopters: 1
• Dozers: 3
• Excavators 6
COLEMAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: October 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 574 acres Percent Contained: 20%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 185 personnel
• Engines: 6
• Handcrews: 7
• Helicopters: 5
• Dozers: 4
• Water Tenders 2
EVACUATIONS:
There are no mandatory evacuations in effect for any portions of the Dolan or Coleman Fires.
CLOSURES:
• The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres NF remains closed under Closure Order Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-22.
• Nacimiento-Ferguson RD is closed to all traffic (public and residential) from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line (16 miles inland).
SAFETY:
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Coleman and Dolan fire area.
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. Visit Know Before You Fly: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
TODAY:
Coleman Fire
Handcrews will continue to go direct with handline in order to increase containment on the fire. Helicopters remain committed to the fire and will conduct water bucket drops as needed. The remaining perimeter of the fire will be assessed to see where additional dozer work and handline can be safely completed to increase containment.
Dolan Fire
The last of the suppression repair work along Highway 1 is expected to be complete today. Two excavators continue to repair line around Cone Peak while another two conduct suppression work repair in the area of Arroyo Secco.
YESTERDAY:
Coleman Fire
Light winds made for little fire growth yesterday. Handcrews continued to build handline resulting in an increase in the fires containment.
Dolan Fire
Repair work around the Merrel Ranch was completed yesterday. Work around the Cone Peak area was slow due to steep terrain.
WEATHER:
Temperatures will remain in the 70s to low 80s over most of the fire area. Light winds will shift from the southeast to southwest, with gusts only reaching 10 mph. Humidites continue to increase, resulting in very light fire behavior.
SUMMARY:
The Coleman fire started at approximately 1200 pm on October 18, 2020, and is estimated at 574 acres with 20% containment.
The Dolan Fire started on August 18, 2020 on the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. The fire has grown to 124,924 acres and is 98% contained. The Monterey Ranger District remains under a Closure Order for visitor and firefighter safety. The Nacimiento- Fergusson Road remains closed.
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov, search “Dolan”
Twitter: @LosPadresNF/ Facebook: @lospadresnationalforest Fire Information: 831-244-3762 (8 am to 6 pm daily) Email: 2020.dolan@firenet.gov

BAER report warns of increased risk to travelers

From the Salinas Californian:

Tourists should think twice before going off the grid in Big Sur after the Dolan Fire consumed more than 124,000 acres on California’s scenic Central Coast.

A new report shows the damage done by the blaze poses a very high risk to human life.

The Dolan Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) report found that Big Sur roads, trails and campgrounds are perched beneath dangerously unstable terrain.

The loamy, shallow dirt on the side of the steep-sided, sharp-crested ridges characteristic of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range will likely result in debris flows, flooding or rock falls, the report concluded.

Roads, trails, recreation areas and campgrounds “are in flood-prone areas, at the base of steep, unstable slopes or in the steep, unstable headwaters that are also at risk of post-fire debris flows, rockfall, increased runoff and hazard trees.

“Use of these areas would put life and safety at risk,” the report reads.

For more of this article see: https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2020/10/21/dolan-fire-report-shows-high-risk-human-life-coming-years/3721657001/

For BAER report, see: The full report can be viewed online on Monterey County’s Office of Emergency Services website. 

Dolan/Coleman Fire, 10/22/20

DOLAN and COLEMAN FIRES
Thursday, October 22, 2020 9:00 AM
Los Padres National Forest
DOLAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: August 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 124,924 acres Percent Contained: 98%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 146 personnel
• Engines: 2
• Handcrews: 2
• Helicopters: 1
• Dozers: 3
• Excavators 6
COLEMAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: October 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 574 acres Percent Contained: 5%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 214 personnel
• Engines: 6
• Handcrews: 9
• Helicopters: 5
• Dozers: 4
• Water Tenders 2
EVACUATIONS:
There are no mandatory evacuations in effect for any portions of the Dolan or Coleman Fires.
CLOSURES:
• The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres NF remains closed under Closure Order Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-22.
• Nacimiento-Ferguson RD is closed to all traffic (public and residential) from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line (16 miles inland).
SAFETY:
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Coleman and Dolan fire area.
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. Visit Know Before You Fly: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
TODAY:
Coleman Fire
Handcrews are expected to work in steeper sections of the fire today in order to connect dozer line that was built yesterday. Light winds are expected to provide for minimal fire behavior, allowing for more helicopter work to cool off hotspots on the fire. Helicopters will be shuttle handcrews to fireline due to the steep inaccessible terrain.
Dolan Fire
Portions of Highway 1 adjacent to the Dolan Fire may be closed for short periods of time today to allow for suppression repair work along the roadway. Excavator work is expected to continue in the area of Arroyo Secco to repair dozer lines built during the height of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol the west side of the fire looking for additional areas of smoke.
YESTERDAY:
Coleman Fire
Helicopters continued to check the fires spread with bucket drops for the second day in a row. This allowed for bulldozers to put in direct line on several ridge tops. Handcrews continued to build line around the north, south, and east sides of the fire. Several helispots were constructed to help access the fire and provide ability to quickly transport firefighters if an injury occurs. There was no additional growth to the fire yesterday.
Dolan Fire
Light smoke was observed on the west side of the fire in the Mill Creek Drainage yesterday. There was no threat to the fires control lines. Excavator work continued around the Cone Peak area while handcrews continued work around Merle Ranch. Equipment was moved to the Arroyo Seco area to begin repairs of dozer lines.
WEATHER:
Strengthening onshore flow for the next couple of days will bring slightly cooler air today and even cooler air Thursday through Sunday, with a slight increase in humidity. Skies will stay clear.
SUMMARY:
The Coleman fire started at approximately 1200 pm on October 18, 2020, and is estimated at 574 acres with 5% containment.
The Dolan Fire started on August 18, 2020 on the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. The fire has grown to 124,924 acres and is 98% contained. The Monterey Ranger District remains under a Closure Order for visitor and firefighter safety. The Nacimiento- Fergusson Road remains closed.
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov, search “Dolan”
Twitter: @LosPadresNF/ Facebook: @lospadresnationalforest Fire Information: 831-244-3762 (8 am to 6 pm daily) Email: 2020.dolan@firenet.gov

Dolan/Coleman Fires, 10/21/20

DOLAN and COLEMAN FIRES
Tuesday, October 21, 2020 9:00 AM
Los Padres National Forest
DOLAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: August 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 124,924 acres Percent Contained: 98%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 204 personnel
• Engines: 5
• Handcrews: 2
• Helicopters: 1
• Dozers: 4
• Water tenders: 5
COLEMAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: October 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 574 acres Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 232 personnel
• Engines: 10
• Handcrews: 7
• Helicopters: 5
• Dozers: 2
EVACUATIONS:
There are no mandatory evacuations in effect for any portions of the Dolan or Coleman Fires.
CLOSURES:
• The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres NF remains closed under Closure Order Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-22.
• Nacimiento-Ferguson RD is closed to all traffic (public and residential) from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line (16 miles inland).
SAFETY:
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Coleman and Dolan fire area.
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. Visit Know Before You Fly: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
TODAY:
Coleman Fire
Handcrews will continue to build control line across the south, then east sides of the fire today. As weather allows, air tankers and helicopters will be used to slow fire spread into the Bear Canyon area and onto the Ventana Wilderness area.
Dolan Fire
Suppression repair and fireline rehab continue to be the focus for crews. Heavy equipment will be moving from the south portions of the fire to the north east portions to begin work. Resources continue to patrol for hotspots and to identify additional repair projects.
YESTERDAY:
Coleman Fire
Helicopters continued to check the fires spread today. Light winds over the fire allowed for little fire spread. Handcrews started to build line on the south side of the fire. Two handcrews continued to suppress the fire through night.
Dolan Fire
Suppression repair work continued yesterday around Cone Peak. Heavy equipment was moved into the areas north of Arroyo Secco today to begin repair and rehab work there.
WEATHER:
Strengthening onshore flow for the next couple of days will bring slightly cooler air today and even cooler air Thursday, with a slight increase in humidity. Skies will stay clear.
SUMMARY:
The Coleman fire started at approximately 1200 pm on October 18, 2020, and is estimated at 574 acres with 0% containment.
The Dolan Fire started on August 18, 2020 on the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. The fire has grown to 124,924 acres and is 98% contained. The Monterey Ranger District remains under a Closure Order for visitor and firefighter safety. The Nacimiento- Fergusson Road remains closed.
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov, search “Dolan”
Twitter: @LosPadresNF/ Facebook: @lospadresnationalforest Fire Information: 831-244-3762 (8 am to 6 pm daily) Email: 2020.dolan@firenet.gov

Dolan/Coleman Fires,10/20/20

Received this last night from John Chesnut, but apparently after I lost my power for the day’s sun. Thank you John.

DOLAN and COLEMAN FIRES
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 9:00 AM
Los Padres National Forest
DOLAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: August 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 124,924 acres Percent Contained: 98%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 249 personnel
• Engines: 16
• Handcrews: 0
• Helicopters: 1
• Dozers: 6
• Water tenders: 5
COLEMAN INCIDENT STATISTICS Start date: October 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 550 acres Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 151 personnel
• Engines: 16
• Handcrews: 4
• Helicopters: 1
• Dozers: 6
• Water tenders: 5
EVACUATIONS:
There are no mandatory evacuations in effect for any portions of the Dolan or Coleman Fires.
CLOSURES:
• The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres NF remains closed under Closure Order Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-22.
• Nacimiento-Ferguson RD is closed to all traffic (public and residential) from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line (16 miles inland).
SAFETY:
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Coleman and Dolan fire area.
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. Visit Know Before You Fly: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
TODAY:
Coleman Fire
Handcrews will be working to scout out and build handline on the south and east side of the fire. Aircraft will continue to check the fires spread as the weather allows. Heavy equipment is being moved into the area in anticipation of building dozer line on the north and north east side of the fire. The Coleman fire is expected to continue aircraft use in efforts to assist firefighters with containment.
Dolan Fire
Today crews will continue with suppression repair across the fire with a focus on the south and south west portions of the fire. Patrols will continue around the perimeter looking for hot spots and smoke. Repair work will continue around the Merle Ranch. Suppression repair and fireline rehab are being done with the goal of ensuring visitor safety once the Monterey District reopens to the public. Assessment and chipping operations continue along the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road.
YESTERDAY:
Coleman Fire
Air tankers and helicopters working the fire throughout the day were able slow the fires spread. Light winds kept the fire from making any major runs. Handcrews began scouting out and building handline. Two handcrew continued to suppress the fire through night.
Dolan Fire
Suppression repair on the west and north west portions of the fire was largely completed. Heavy equipment moved to the south side of the fire. Work continued in the Cone Peak area and around Merrel Ranch.
WEATHER:
Weather today will be slightly cooler, trending to near normal conditions this afternoon. Warm and dry conditions will persist across interior sections of the region. Relative humidifies are expected to increase slightly over the next few days.
SUMMARY:
The Coleman fire started at approximately 1200 pm on October 18, 2020, and is estimated at 550 acres with 0% containment.
The Dolan Fire started on August 18, 2020 on the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. The fire has grown to 124,924 acres and is 98% contained. The Monterey Ranger District remains under a Closure Order for visitor and firefighter safety. The Nacimiento-Fergusson Road remains closed.
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov, search “Dolan”
Twitter: @LosPadresNF/ Facebook: @lospadresnationalforest Fire Information: 831-244-3762 (8 am to 6 pm daily) Email: 2020.dolan@firenet.gov

Dolan/Coleman Incidents Report, 10/19/20

TODAY:
Coleman Fire
Resources assigned to the Dolan Fire are actively engaged with a new start, the Coleman Fire, which is located adjacent to the Dolan Fire on the Los Padres National Forest and Fort Hunter- Liggett Army base. Numerous resources have been ordered to assist with the suppression effort including use of airtankers and heavy helicopters. The Eastern Area Incident Management Team has been delegated authority for suppression of the Coleman Fire.
Dolan Fire
Today crews will continue with suppression repair across the fire with a focus on the south and south west portions of the fire. Patrols will continue around the perimeter looking for hot spots and smoke. Repair work will continue around the Merle Ranch. Suppression repair and fireline rehab are being done with the goal of ensuring visitor safety once the Monterey District reopens to the public. Assessment and chipping operations continue along the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road.
YESTERDAY:
Crews made significant progress on suppression repair work along the far northwest corner of the fire, and also on the west side along Highway 1 going south toward Hermitage. Work continued along the south side of the fire perimeter as well as interior areas and near Arroyo Synco to make needed repairs. No additional smoke was reported in the Limekiln Drainage area.
In the afternoon, fire crews from the Dolan Fire assisted the Los Padres National Forest and Fort Hunter Liggett in initial attack of the Coleman Fire. This included significant commitment of aviation resources to slow the fires spread .
WEATHER:
A gradual and modest cooling trend will continue through the beginning of the week and humidity will increase slightly. Overall warm and dry conditions will persist with winds remaining light.
SUMMARY:
The Coleman fire started at approximately 1200 on October 18, 2020, and is estimated at 500 acres with 0% containment.
The Dolan Fire started on August 18, 2020 on the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. The fire has grown to 124,924 acres and is 98% contained. The Monterey Ranger District remains under a Closure Order for visitor and firefighter safety. The Nacimiento-Fergusson Road remains closed.
DOLAN FIRE UPDATE
Sunday October 19 2020
,, 9:00 AM
Los Padres National Forest
DOLAN INCIDENT STATISTICS
Location of Origin: Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest Start date: August 18, 2020
Size: Approximately 124,924 acres Percent Contained: 98%
Cause: Under Investigation Resources Assigned: 249 personnel
• Engines: 16
• Handcrews: 2
• Helicopters: 1
• Dozers: 6
• Water tenders: 5
CLOSURES:
• The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres NF remains closed under Closure Order Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-22.
• Nacimiento-Ferguson RD is closed to all traffic (public and residential) from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line (16 miles inland).
SAFETY:
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. Visit Know Before You Fly: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
COOPERATORS:
California Highway Patrol California State Parks
Monterey County
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Monterey County OES
CalFire
Cal Trans
Big Sur Volunteers
Ventana Wilderness Alliance Esselan and Salinan Tribes Fort Hunter Liggett
California Conservation Corps
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov, search “Dolan”
Twitter: @LosPadresNF/ Facebook: @lospadresnationalforest Fire Information: 831-244-3762 (8 am to 6 pm daily) Email: 2020.dolan@firenet.gov

Coleman Fire is the red circle on the right off the Dolan Fire.