Wildfire, Pine Canyon

2:50 pm requesting SO for evacuation advisory for Corral De Cielo. Here is the most recent live photo

2 pm — MMU Strike Team to cover BEU just diverted to fire code 3. Looks like it is picking up. Weather getting hotter and drier. Below is a live picture and is updated every minute. You can find it at Http://www.Alertwildfire.org

Alertwildfire.org
River Fire

River Fire, 20 acres and 5% contained. No structures threatened.


Vegetation Fire, Pine Canyon, Salinas (Monterey County)
Monterey, CA – At 3:14 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2020, CAL FIRE received a call for a vegetation fire near Toro Peak, at the top of Pine Canyon, ~5 miles south of Salinas (Monterey County). The fire was started by a lightning strike.
Upon arrival, the fire was approximately 1 acre in size. The fire is currently ~10 acres and 5% contained. There are no evacuations, and there are currently no structures threatened.
CAL FIRE is at scene with Monterey County Regional Fire District. There are approximately 110 firefighters at scene, with 1 air tactical observation platform, 4 air tankers, 2 helicopters, 6 fire engines, 3 fire crews, 2 bulldozers, and 2 water tenders.
Much of California is experiencing a heat wave. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Monterey and San Benito Counties, due to dry lightning, high temperatures, and low humidity. This is an important reminder to the public to maintain a minimum of 100 feet defensible space around their structures, as well as having and practicing exit drills in the home. For more ways to prepare and prevent wildfires visit http://www.ReadyForWildfire.org or http://www.fire.ca.gov.
Who: What: When: Where:
CAL FIRE
Vegetation Fire
August 16, 2020, 3:14 a.m.; ~10 acres, 5% contained at 6:54 a.m. Pine Canyon, Salinas (Monterey County)

Fire at Lake Nacimiento

5 pm. I think the fire at Lake Naci is under control or out. The only continued one seems to be the one at Old Creek, now called the Whale Fire, which is 120 acres. Ordering aircraft for tomorrow. There are several others listed on chp in the Nipomo area.

There is still a chance of lightning strikes for tonight through tomorrow am, so keep your eyes peeled.

11:47 — not good, not good at all. Another fire as the lightning strikes head north:

11:44 AM9[27] A8-045 FIRE OUT BY PARIS VALLEY
11:41 AM8[8] FIRE IN THE AREA GOIG 1097
11:41 AM7[7] 45 1097 / 2 FIRES
11:40 AM6[6] TOT FIRE
11:40 AM5[4] [Appended, 11:40:36] [2] AT THE RHS / UNKWN ORIG
11:40 AM4[15] [Appended, 11:41:55] [6] TRANS CAL FIRE
11:40 AM3[1] GRASS FIRE
11:40 AM2[13] [Appended, 11:41:55] [3] TRANS TO CAL FIRE MONT
11:39 AM1[10] [Appended, 11:41:55] [1] GRASS FIRE ON RS
Unit Information
11:32 AM9[24] 2 FIRES – ONE NEAR ROAD , ANOTHER FARTHER BACK
11:32 AM8[23] TRANS CALFIRE
11:29 AM7[15] TRANS CALFIRE MONT
11:29 AM6[18] [Appended, 11:30:57] [1] SEES FIRE
11:28 AM5[14] TRANS MONT COM
11:28 AM4[13] GRASS FIRE
11:26 AM3[8] [Appended, 11:26:41] [1] SEES FIRE AND SMOKE
11:25 AM2[6] TRANS MONT COM
11:19 AM1[1] LIGHTNING BOLT HIT A TREE AND N

11:26 — Just 18 mins ago, a lightning bolt hit a tree in Nacimiento, and now there is a fire. We did not hear any thunder up here, or see any lightning.

Major Fire Weather Threat

From Daniel Swain, Weather West: “Well, this is some terrible timing: on top of continued record heat today and beyond, risk of thunderstorms with dry lightning also rising. High-res models depicting pretty widespread elevated convection central and northern California. Major fire weather threat… “

Wildfire on Scarlett Rd, Cv

2 pm — 1/2 acre grass fire. Forward progress halted

It is reportedly 106 in Carmel Valley and there are three spotter plans on it, per reports. This is what Chp says:

Incident: 00192 Type: Report of Fire Location: Crg16 / Scarlett Rd Loc Desc:   Lat/Lon: 36.523995 -121.793684 

Detail Information
1:30 PM11[4] Incident Re-opened: FIRE COMM REQ CHP FOR 1184 /SCARLETT @ CVR [Shared]
1:20 PM10[3] [CHP] has closed their incident [200814MY00175]
1:13 PM9[38] [Appended, 13:37:49] [34] S8 / RDWY OPEN
1:10 PM8[36] [Appended, 13:37:49] [32] [Appended, 13:10:46] [1] XFER TO FIRE
12:59 PM7[27] [Appended, 13:37:49] [22] BC BLK // 27-22 CPZ / SAW FIRE ENRT F/SR1 / HIGH SCHOOL
12:55 PM6[20] [Appended, 13:37:49] [15] [Appended, 12:56:20] [1] FIRE ON CVR / SCARLETT
12:52 PM5[14] [Appended, 13:37:49] [9] TRANS CALFIRE
12:52 PM4[13] [Appended, 13:37:49] [8] POSS TREE ON FIRE
12:51 PM3[10] [Appended, 13:37:49] [6] [Appended, 12:52:06] [2] SMOKE AND FLAMES
12:51 PM2[8] [Appended, 13:37:49] [3] UNKN WHATS ON FIRE
12:51 PM1[6] [Appended, 13:37:49] [1] SRP SEES SMOKE

Dangerously intense prolonged heat wave.

From David Swain of Weather West:

Update: Heatwave will be more intense, prolonged, and dangerous than previously anticipated

I don’t usually write two weather posts in one week, but this time I’ll make an exception. Earlier this week, I wrote about a “sustained warming trend and long-duration inland heatwave” that would develop this week in California. Well, that’s still true…but that language turns out to have been more than a little understated. A very intense and prolonged heatwave now appears likely for a large portion of California over the next 7-10 days, and this event will likely have wide-ranging impacts from human health, wildfire, and electricity demand perspectives. I suspect this event will probably end up being one of the most significant widespread California extreme heat events in the past decade, if not longer.

…“I expect sustained extreme temperatures of this magnitude to produce widespread human health, wildfire, and electrical power supply impacts. Some of these impacts will undoubtedly be amplified by the ongoing pandemic. This will be an event to take quite seriously.“

For the rest of this report, see: https://weatherwest.com/archives/7427

Covid Community Meeting Notes, 8/12

COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting Notes
August 12, 2020 
Attendees (via Zoom):

20th Congressional District, State Senate District 17, 30th Assembly District, CA State Parks, US Forest Service, 5th District Supervisor, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, and the Community Association of Big Sur

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Rick Aldinger reports:

  • Overall business in Big Sur continues to be down 20-25%. Is erratic at times during the month of August.
  • Diana made the observation that all the public spaces along Highway 1 from Pt. Lobos south seemed to be at “record breaking levels” of visitation. Day Use like we have never seen before due to COVID-19 and the reduced capacity for guests at the State Parks.
  • Diana posed a request from Monterey County to step in and provide some short-term resources i.e. portable restroom facilities and additional trash pick-up to help with the unprecedented numbers of Day Use Visitors.
  • Diana and Rick reached out to Brent Marshall, Superintendent of State Parks for the Monterey District, to re-evaluate opening up Day Use Parking at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and JP Burns to relieve some pressure from the Highway 1 turn-outs and and to local businesses re: bathrooms and trash.
  • Marcos Ortega, California State Parks Big Sur Sector Supervisor, commented that State Parks is operating on State and County guidelines regarding responsible management of Park resources and their mission is to provide a responsible place for people to recreate safely.
  • Rick respects the State Parks decision but is hoping for a broader discussion with this group of Stakeholders on strategies to help with the impact of visitors during COVID-19.
  • Diana offered that this pattern of visitation is not unique to Big Sur, happening everywhere and we have a responsibility to accommodate Day Use Visitors.
  • Colleen Courtney, with Senator Monning’s Office, asked the question of what does it look like to accommodate this unprecedented influx of people? Rick and Diana responded: lack of facilities, lack of resources and lack of space.
  • Butch clarified that there are different conditions and jurisdictions in Big Sur that have variations of the same challenges. In the case of State Parks, they are attempting to limit the number of people to congregate in any one place. Again, following State and County guidelines during COVID-19. This is why JP Burns parking lot and the Day Use Parking Lots are closed or limited to protect the public and State Park employees.
  • Butch went on to say that there is a wider and more comprehensive discussion that needs to happen with the community and our jurisdictional partners on what constitutes capacity for Big Sur. The BSLUP and Coast Highway Management Plan reference numbers for capacity which are currently unknowable at any given time because we do not have the mechanism in place to measure traffic.  Yet. CABS is currently pursuing acquiring an encroachment permit with Cal Trans to install a vehicle counter just north of Mal Paso Creek Bridge. 

USFS, LPNF Monterey District Ranger Tim Short reports:

  • The USFS has implemented COVID-19 Emergency Road Closure on the following roads to the public: South Coast Ridge Road, Central Coast (Cone Peak) Road, Los Burros (Willow Creek) Road, and Plaskett Ridge Road. This temporary closure is in effect until October 19th.
  • In response to the public’s lack of respect for signage and at the request of Congressman Panetta’s Office and support from the wider Stakeholder group, gates, barricades and signage has been authorized for installation closing the above roads to the public. Residents, property owners and emergency responders will have access.
  • Tim referenced the two visitor caused fires on Plaskett Ridge Road, this last June, as well as illegal campfires, destruction of road systems through over use, resource destruction, sanitation issues, no social distancing or masks being worn, and the inability of first responders being able respond as the catalyst to close these roads.
  • Tim made clear that the intent of this order is not to stop hikers and backpackers from accessing the coast side trail system.
  • Hal Latta said, what is the time frame for the gate installation and is there some way to expedite the process? Tim indicated that Forest Supervisor, Kevin Elliott, as well as the Regional Forester are taking a personal interest in expediting the procurement process. But there is no definite timeline yet.
  • Butch reiterated that Community Association of Big Sur’s offer to provide a “bridge loan” to get the gates installed asap still stands. Tim thanked Butch for the support and offer and to stay tuned.
  • Tim wanted it to be known that beyond the forest order restriction topic, that the Forest Service as an agency has a broad mission and is working on many other projects such as fuel breaks, fire preparedness and community protection; rehabilitation of the Pine Ridge trail system as well as seeking additional fire cover and resources for preparedness to prevent and respond to the next wildfire.
  • Sharen Carey used the example of the 2017 Pfeiffer Bridge collapse and the By-Pass Trail construction and how it was expedited with the partnership of State Parks, the Big Sur community volunteers and our elected officials to get the trail built quickly. Maybe this could be the model for the gates and barricades to be installed much quicker than the Federal Process.
  • Martha Karstens offered that CERT members volunteered to augment Forest Service personnel to support the road closures. These CERT volunteers are residents on the south coast.

Monterey County Sheriff Department, Commander Ray Tongol reports:

  • There was a patrol this last Friday and Saturday along the highway for illegal roadside camping. A combined 127 illegal campers were contacted and 7 were cited who refused to leave.
  • Commander Tongol observed that the Sheriff’s Department is seeing large numbers of illegal roadside camping all along the coast as well as south Monterey County.
  • There will be continued enforcement this weekend looping in CHP in the morning.
  • Butch expressed his appreciation for this increase level of enforcement but that CABS patrol on early Sunday morning showed a total of 106 illegal roadside campers from Mal Paso the San Luis Obispo County Line. This indicates that more needs to be done.
  • Butch went on to say that a $200 fine is not a deterrent and is frankly comparable to camping at a private or State campground for the weekend. Who would not take a chance to be along the coast.
  • The need to increase the fine for illegal behaviors is paramount if we are going to get anywhere with folks breaking the law. Commander Tongol totally agrees that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has the power to change the fine structure and that enforcement must be done in a collaborative approach with all agencies. These agencies Include CHP, State Parks, Forest Service, Fish & Game and the Sheriff’s Department.
  • Yuri Anderson, with Supervisor Adams Office, said we are moving within the office to increase these fines for illegal roadside camping and parking. Yuri also said Supervisor Adams office is trying to move this conversation to support Commander Tongol and give the Sheriff’s Department more teeth in enforcement.

Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:

  • Matt stated that we are not seeing the international visitor at this time but the visitors we are seeing are from California, Oregon and Nevada for the most part and expressed his disappointment that some display a lack of respect for authority and a disregard for the road closures.
  • Big Sur Fire was on patrol, on South Coast Ridge Road, this last Saturday and responded to two drug overdoses, saving one man’s life in the field while managing a helicopter LZ cluttered with tents and vehicles that needed to be moved.
  • Matt emphasized that gates to these closed roads cannot be installed fast enough. In combination with Uniformed Personnel and Significant Fines for disobeying Forest Orders. With all of these steps we will see a change in visitor behavior.
  • Butch offered that he and Matt have been talking about the idea of Monterey County empowering Big Sur Fire in ways that allow them some ticket writing authority. This may be a step forward for providing more boots-on-the-ground for enforcement. Matt then offered that it is up to Monterey County to augment Big Sur Fire’s Charter to allow this increase in scope of what Big Sur Fire can do to serve the community.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance,Rich Popchak reporting for Mike Splain:

  • Over the past week volunteers donated 49.5 hours on four outings in the backcountry. Volunteer Wilderness Rangers made 65 visitor contacts, removed 35 pounds of trash, and removed 4 inappropriate fire rings.
  • Contract crews hired by the US Forest Service and guided by a VWA volunteer continue work on the Pine Ridge Trail. Preparations continue on updated signage and facilities at the Big Sur Station trailhead to launch the Self-registration system when the US Forest Service determines the time is right to open the trail to visitors. The Self-registration system is the gateway to a permanent Permit System.

CA. State Parks, Big Sur Sector Supervisor Marcos Ortega reports:

  • State Parks is directing staff to open up JP Burns Day Use Parking area.
  • Marcos has reached out to Yuri Anderson, at Supervisor Adams Office, and Cal Trans to work on a solution for the turn-outs north and south of JP Burns because of health and safety issues. Marcos is requesting an area be restricted for emergency vehicles.
  • State Parks continues to monitor Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and the limited Day Use parking. Marcos appreciated everyone’s comments on this on-going challenge during COVID-19.
  • Marcos let Commander Tongol know that State Park Rangers have been working closely with his Sheriff’s Department exercising mutual aid.

Parks Management Company, Jeremy Waggoner reports:

  • All facilites under Parks Management are being challenged by excessive demand and capacities issues.
  • Day Use areas are heavily used on the weekends.

Fifth District Supervisor. Yuri Anderson for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.

  • Sarah has been sharing the Monterey County COVID-19 monitoring data the last couple of weeks. As Sarah has done, Yuri shared data of where Monterey County currently stands. The biggest change was with Nursing Homes and an increase to facilities being impacted by positive cases of COVID-19.
  • Board of Supervisors will be meeting next week and it is expected that the Monterey County Health Officer will give an update.

Big Sur Health Center, Sharen Carey, Executive Director, reports:

  • There are currently 11 positive cases of COVID-19; one new this week.
  • The Health Center has performed 37 new COVID tests this week bringing the total to 365 tests. There is a 2-5 day turn around on test results whether a test comes back positive or negative.

20th Congressional District, Katie Moon on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta:

  • She received reports on Sunday regarding conditions on the South Coast and thanked Chief Harris and his team for keeping everyone safe and for their emergency response.
  • She also thanked Tim Short for requesting funding for Gates and Barricades. Congressman Panetta helped expedite the funding process as soon as possible.
  • Butch thanked Katie, Phil Deppert and Congressman Panetta for their help in expediting this funding.

17th State Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning reports:

  • Through these Stakeholder weekly meetings, she has learned important information to share with Senator Monning i.e. Illegal roadside camping, illegal campfires and dispersed camping on the South Coast and what Big Sur Fire is doing to help mitigate these problems.
  • Senator Monning and his staff are here to support any specific ask by the Big Sur community. 

30th Assembly District. Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas.

  • Dominic reported that he, Colleen and Katie are setting up a meeting this coming week to assess how their offices can best coordinate responding to these challenges in Big Sur. Dominic, Colleen and Katie will report back next week.

Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:

  • Hel Latta, Dick Ravich and Martha are going to meet to discuss CERT volunteering to assist agencies with enforcement. Next step after this meeting is to request to be activated by Monterey County CERT to perform this service.

Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:

  • Lacy was unable to attend.

Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. ED reports:

  • The Sunday morning illegal roadside camping sweep revealed 106 vehicles using Highway 1 turn outs, from Mal Paso Bridge to the SLO county line, to illegally camp.
  • Prewitt Ridge and Alms Ridge had a total of 19 illegal campfires and multiple sanitation and garbage incidence.
  • Butch offered that this is a strange time and that the only way we are going to get through this is to work collaboratively to find solutions.
  • He went on to cite Rick and Diana’s request that Monterey County take a leading role in gearing up for Labor Day Weekend by deploying some port-a-potties and additional trash pick-up at Big Sur businesses.
  • alHalHal suggested the potential for implementing a unified command task force that would include Sheriff, CHP, State Parks and the USFS to sweep the South Coast Ridges which would send out a powerful message about irresponsible behavior.
  • Commander Tongol indicated a willingness to participate and collaborate with all law enforcement agencies.
  • Butch asked who will initiate the Law Enforcement of a unified command discussion. Colleen Courtney said let’s wait on this conversation until the Legislative team meets next week.
  • Butch ended the meeting thanking everyone for their lively discussion on challenging issues our community is facing during this pandemic.   

Census Count & Vacation Homes in Big Sur


View it in your browser.Property Owners of Vacation Homes in Big SurHow to be Respond on the 2020 Census 
If you own a vacation home in Big Sur and no one lives there full time, it is important for you to respond to the 2020 Census and have your property be counted for a true count.
 
You can respond online my2020census.gov or by phone 844-330-2020 and answer “no” when asked if you or anyone else is living or staying at that address on April 1, 2020.If you have more than one residence, you can respond for each, letting the Census know whether anyone usually lives there. Please be sure to enter the correct address or the unique Census ID for each home.It is important to respond to the Census for all properties you own. See guidelines below for Vacation Home(s). Helpful tips for counting a Vacation Home online:When the question is asked: “Including yourself, how many people are living or staying at Vacation Home Address on April 1, 2020. Answer: 0 and click next.This same question is asked again with a red font, click next again and then you will be asked: “On April 1st, were you living or staying at Vacation Home Address?” You will need to Click No and a list of options will appear including “second home”. Please contact info@CABigsur.org with any questions.
 Your Participation helps us get a complete Count For Big Sur!| friend on Facebook | forward to a friend   © 2020 Community Association of Big Sur, All rights reserved.
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Big Sur Road Closures & Prewitt Overdoses on Sat.

I found myself breathing in and out more easily tonight, Sunday night, than I have in a long time. I am relaxing. My shoulders are coming down from my ears to their more natural position. The USFS closed the four most popular roads in Big Sur on the South Coast. And we breathe a breath of relief.

I live on one of those roads — the one that had 2 fires in June. COVID has changed things everywhere, and here is no exception. There are those who are angry. They feel entitled to camp and party and off-road in what was once a pristine area of Big Sur.  Since COVID, it has been much more like downtown LA or SF — before the COVID. I understand humanity has thinned out in these metropolitan areas. I think they all came here.

The road closure is for safety and road preservation. Three of the four roads have been destroyed by more traffic than the roads were designed to support, and by people trying to drive on a 4×4 road in a two-wheeled drive car. The roads can’t take that. They dig holes, trying to get unstuck. They block the roads for emergency vehicles and residents trying to get to work or just to town for supplies.

What this news story linked below does not talk about is the silent disco with hundreds of people present on one ridge, with no toilet facilities and no trash facilities held on Prewitt only two weeks earlier. This one blocked roads to residences and to places where illegal campfires are created on the weekend.

Our Fire Captain, Marcus Foster, and the USFS Public Information Officer. Andrew Marsden, explain the problems well in this news story. The two overdoses on Prewitt Ridge this past Saturday night demonstrated so clearly how dangerous it is for both residents and visitors as well as to Big Sur herself.

http://ksbw.com/article/roads-closed-in-big-sur-to-reduce-illegal-camping/33557350?src=app

And in the good news department, I got this this morning in response to my email to the USFS:

“We will be amending the order from a “road closure” to an “area closure” to assist with enforcement. We’re also in the process of purchasing gates that can be installed on each of the four roads.”

Photo Sunday, 8/9/20

This is probably one of my all-time favorite fire photos, despite being a little blurry. Barbara Woyt will remember this, as she brought me supplies and we sat on my back porch, drank wine, and watched the air show. (It is a digital photo of an analog photo.)

Covid-19 weekly meeting notes

COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting Notes

August 5, 2020

Attendees (via Zoom):

20th Congressional District, State Senate District 17, 30thAssembly District, CA State Parks, US Forest Service, 5thDistrict Supervisor, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, and the Community Association of Big Sur 

USFS, LPNF Monterey District Ranger Tim Short, John Eifert sitting in:• Announced that the Monterey District has requested a COVID-19 Emergency Road Closure on the following roads to the public: South Coast Ridge Road, Central Coast (Cone Peak) Road, Los Burros (Willow Creek) Road, and Plaskett Ridge Road.• This Emergency Road Closure will go into effect this Friday, August 7th and will stay in effect through October 19, 2020.• The Monterey District is working collaboratively with other agency partners and private property owners for solutions to complex problems.• The Strategic Fuel Break Project has been awarded from funding from the Joint Chiefs and California Climate Initiative Grants. It is undergoing planning efforts for implementation in Fiscal Year 2020, 2021 and 2022. For Fiscal Year 2020 work will be implemented on approximately 157 acres along the North Coast Ridge Road.• Butch asked how the Great American Outdoors Act will impact funding projects in the Monterey District. John replied LPNF will get some funding and will report more next week.• Kirk sought clarification if there will be restrictions on the Nacimiento/Ferguson Road with the Emergency Road Closure Order. John replied there will be no restrictions.• Butch, Martha Karstens and Matt Harris thanked John and the LPNF for taking this action to address the impacts of visitation on the south coast ridges.

Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:• Matt sought clarification on Forest Order and confirmed the following: that the Forest Service closes the roads only and Trailheads remain open; Big Sur Fire will have access to the proposed gates in case of fire; and residents on the south coast ridges also have access with the gates. • Big Sur Fire remains busy with rescues and car accidents.• Big Sur Fire graduated a class of 10 new fire fighters.• Butch wanted to acknowledge Marcus and Trey’s reporting on the conditions on the south coast last weekend. Butch pointed out that their data helped make the case that the visitation on the south coast needed to be addressed and was out of control. Matt goes on to say that Big Sur Fire appreciated the quick collaboration with the Forest Service that led to the Emergency Road Closure.• Matt touched on the need for Monterey County, State and Federal to have a uniform fine structure across jurisdictions.• In later remarks Matt suggested that all firewood at point-of-sale have an insert with clearly stated fire restrictions outside of developed campgrounds. Matt to work with Big Sur Chamber on this messaging.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Mike Splain reports:• Since our last call, 2 Volunteer Wilderness Rangers spent 21 hours patrolling the Cone Peak Trail, greeting 34 visitors, packing out a pound of trash, dismantling 4 fire rings, and placing social distancing signage at nearby trailheads.• VWA Trail Crew Leaders and American Conservation Experience contract crews (supported by USFS packers) are currently working on the Pine Ridge Trail between Barlow Flat and Sykes Camp. The trail is tentatively scheduled to re-open in the fall, with a pilot permit system in place to educate visitors on fire safety and Leave No Trace ethics, and to monitor the volume of visitation.• The hope is that restoring this access will serve to more safely disperse visitation and alleviate resource damage currently impacting other extremely popular coastal trails.

Parks Management Company, Jeremy Waggoner:• The developed campgrounds are full.• Day Use areas are below capacity which is rare for this time of year.

CA. State Parks, Big Sur Sector Supervisor Marcos Ortegareports:• Marcos was unable to attend.

Big Sur Health Center:• There are currently 10 positive cases of COVID-19.• The Health Center has performed 14 new COVID tests this week bringing the total to 328 tests. There is a 6 day turn around for positive tests and a 3 day turn around for negative tests.

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Kirk Gafill reports:• Kirk Gafill reports overall business in Big Sur is down 20-25%.• Monterey County businesses have multiple challenges including turn-around time on COVID-19 testing results and an already diminished labor pool.• Kirk states that the Big Sur Health Center has been an extraordinary resource for the Big Sur business community in meeting the challenges of COVID-19.

Fifth District Supervisor. Sarah Hardgrave for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.• Sarah acknowledged Kirk’s comments on the challenges in multiple sectors of the economy and distance learning of children this fall.• Mary Adams and Chris Lopez coordinated getting message boards installed at the east and west ends of the Nacimiento / Ferguson Road. The message mirroring the Cal Trans message board stating: No Campfires Strictly Enforced.• Supervisor Adams is looking at both short term and long term solutions to deal with the illegal roadside camping issue. • Sarah screen shared the County Health Department dashboard showing where the County is in terms of the metrics driving our operational status under COVID.• 3 of 10 metrics are in the red.  These are: 14 day cumulative COVID incidence per 100k residents = 361, Percent of Nursing Facilities with no new COVID cases in last 14 days = 50% and 7 day average positivity rate of those tested = 14.8%• Monterey County is working closely with hospitals and also seeking alternative housing sites for those needing to be quarantined.

20th Congressional District, Katie Moon on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta:• Katie reported that she and Phil Deppert had a conversation with Butch regarding strategy on how to address cross jurisdictional enforcement challenges on the following: illegal camping, illegal campfires, resource destruction, trespassing, etc. • Great American Outdoors Act passed. The bill has been signed into law. This results are $9 billion dollars available for public lands. Addressing deferred maintenance is a high priority for this funding. 

30th Assembly District. Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas.• Following up with last week’s suggestion that the local electeds work on a responsible recreation message. Dominic, Colleen Courtney, Katie Moon and Sarah Hardgrave met to start this conversation.

17th State Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning reports:• Colleen was unable to attend.

Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:• CERT is working with Monterey County to upgrade their repeater.

Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:• Lacy was unable to attend.

Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:• Jesse was unable to attend.

Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. EDreports:• The Sunday morning illegal roadside camping sweep revealed 109 vehicles using Highway 1 turn outs, from Mal Paso Bridge to the SLO county line, to illegally camp.• Pacific Valley continues to be busy with illegal roadside camping (20 vehicles) and 9 tents counted out on the bluff.• Illegal campfires on Prewitt Ridge and Alms = 21 this last weekend. With 3 illegal campfires reported on Los Burros and San Martin.• During the course of the meeting the issue of who has authority to cite under which code is an on-going impediment to changing unwanted visitor behavior. For example, the USFS has a fine structure of $5,000 for an illegal campfire. The County on the other hand has a fine that is far less. The enforcement for illegal roadside camping is dependent upon which jurisdiction the camper is on. For instance, if a roadside camper is across the street from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and is cited by a State Park Ranger the procedure for issuing the ticket and the cost to pay the fine are significantly different than the procedure and the cost to pay the fine if issued by a Monterey County Sheriff or CHP. In order for the public to be forewarned and in order for law enforcement to have an easily enforceable action the jurisdictions need to be on the same page regarding legal language and fine structure. Sarah, with Supervisor Adams Office, thanked Butch for clarifying what the challenge is.

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