Residents will be able to get in and out, but the USFS asks that you minimize any trips to allow the crew to work.
Sycamore Canyon Road Closure 8/8 & 8/9
August Fire Predictions
Despite a wet winter, California again faces an above-normal chance for large wildfires as the state heads into late summer and fall. That’s according to a monthly report issued Aug. 1 by the predictive services branch of the National Interagency Fire Center. Heat — a major player in the devastating wildfires of the last two years — and the timing of autumn winds and rains will determine precisely how perilous the 2019 wildfire season becomes.
In August, the higher-risk zones are mainly in the inland valleys and foothills in the northern part of the state. By October, the danger zone extends up and down the coast and into the mountains.
Experts sometimes refer to two separate fire seasons in California: summer wildfires fed by heat and fall wildfires driven by winds.
For the rest of this article, see: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/08/05/this-years-fire-season-california-could-be-very-active/
The Invisible Burden of Tourism, part 2
As Megan Epler Wood stated in the quote I cited in part one, if local people are engaged in the monitoring of vital indicators to protect local resources AND the policy makers and tourist organizations like https://www.seemonterey.com/ and https://www.visitcalifornia.com/ actually listen and implement changes and develop the programs and frameworks to actually protect the health and well-being of the local populations, ecosystems, cultures, and monuments, then the civil disobedience witnessed in July would not be necessary. When local people do not feel they are being heard, but instead federal, state, and county government, as well as the tourist organizations mentioned above put money above the health and safety of the local population and of the delicate ecosystem, then frustration will lead to the kinds of behavior we have witnessed.
Continuing on with the article by Brittany Lyte from Honolulu Civil Beat, which can be found here: https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/07/how-these-top-travel-spots-are-making-tourism-pay-its-own-way/
“The famous case is Mallorca, where they were down to $30 per night for a hotel in the ‘70s because it was a very overcrowded tourist destination,” said Megan Epler Wood, director of the International Sustainable Tourism Initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the lead author of the study.
“And I attended a meeting in the Canary Islands where the mayor of Mallorca announced that they were going to tear down hotels and the whole audience stood up and cheered. And, in fact, they did it.”
Mallorca has since recouped high-value tourism on the island in part by shuttering hotels, and also by establishing a new eco-tax on tourists in 2016 that is funneled into a fund to pay the hidden costs of tourism. Those include managing and upgrading systems for water use, waste disposal, land use, air and carbon emissions, transportation, community values and cultural heritage.
“You can drive a destination over a cliff,” Epler Wood said. “But the way to reinsert value is to properly account for tourism’s costs and then strategically look at reinvestment.”
The Key here is “properly account for tourism’s costs” — in other words, design and implement meaningful ways to collect the data about what tourism is costing Big Sur. (To be continued next Tuesday.)
Tourist Tuesday: Lessons from Borocay Island 8/6/19
I wrote the article below, and the one that will follow later this morning two weeks ago, before the Mill Fire and before yesterday’s meetings with CABS AND Costas Christ. I still think they are valid, even though as Costas said last night, Borocay Island was an extreme solution.
Today, I would again like to offer two separate articles, this first one: Lessons from Borocay Island, The Philippines and then in a couple hours, continue on with my invisible burden series. While it would be difficult for Big Sur to implement some of these practices — we are not an island, most of the time — there is still much we can learn about the extreme measures that have been used and look at whether we can avoid any such extreme measures, in order to save to save Big Sur. (This post was originally scheduled for last week, but I changed the schedule to accommodate the Mill Fire reporting.)
The President of the Philippines closed Borocay Island, for 6 months — no planes were allowed to land, and no tourists were allowed in. The reason (to use the President’s words) was the island had become a cesspool that needed immediate action from political authorities.
While Borocay Island was closed, it was cleaned up and a new strategy put into place. The sudden decision to shutter the island for tourism in February 2018 was very harsh for the locals who depend heavily on tourism. The main idea behind the decision was to use the hiatus to clean up the environment, improve hotels’ sewage treatment systems, and to develop a tourism strategy that guarantees a sustainable future for the island. Hence, Boracay re-opened on October 26, 2018 with a new strategy that intends to restrict tourism to make it more sustainable
These rules are as follows:
- Quota on tourist visits based on the island’s carrying capacity (only 6,405 tourists per day can land on the island).
- New regulations regarding tourists’ attitudes and behavior (e.g., smoking and drinking alcohol are forbidden on White beach, the most visited beach on the island) – (click here to see all the regulations).
- New regulations regarding locals’ attitudes and behavior (e.g. raising pigs or chickens for a living is forbidden).
- Only the hotels compliant with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and accredited by the Department of Tourism, can open again. Tourists can only come to the island if they reserve a room at one of these hotels.
- All hotels must be connected to a proper sewage treatment system.
- Road widening project to resolve congestion issues.
- Trash and unauthorized buildings will be removed from the wetlands.
- Buildings within 30 meters of the shoreline will be destroyed.
- Gambling is forbidden on the island.
These regulations, assuming compliance is widespread, should enable tourism on Boracay Island to become more sustainable. But what has really happened since the reopening? Costas Christ touched on one of the ramifications of this extreme measure last night.
For the answer to that question, go here: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4094313.html to read the rest of the article.
USFS Mill Fire Update
Fire Update
U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region
Los Padres National Forest
6750 Navigator Way
Goleta, CA 93117
MILL FIRE
August 4, 2019
UPDATE
Date Started:July 30, 2019Cause: Under InvestigationTotal Acres: 310Containment: 60%
Injuries to Date: 2Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 0Total Personnel: 383
Assigned Resources:
Crews: 5 Engines: 16 Helicopters: 3 Air Tankers: 0 Evacuations: 0
Current:
KING CITY, Calif. – The Mill Fire was reported at 5:36 am Tuesday, July 30, near Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and the intersection of California State Highway 1 in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. The fire has currently burned approximately 310 acres. There are 383 firefighters on scene as part of a full response that includes engine crews, hand crews and air support. There is currently 60% containment.
Overnight crews patrolled the fire line. Firefighters worked to suppress some minimal fire activity near the junction of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and Cone Peak Road. Today crews will continue to mop up and improve line where needed with the major concentration of effort on the southeast corner near the junction of Nacimiento-Fergusson and Cone Peak Roads. Demobilization of federal resources will begin today.
There are currently no evacuations in effect and no structures threatened. There have been two minor injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Road Closures:
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is currently closed at Highway 1 and at the Fort Hunter Liggett Boundary to allow emergency equipment and fire engines to safely navigate the road.
For additional Fire Information call Monterey Ranger District (831) 385-5434
Sunday Photo,
From Martha Diehl:
Partial Forest Closure order effective 8/4/19 and Map
Also, here is the official press release. Note South Coast Ridge Rd is closed to Chalk Peak as well.
GOLETA, Calif. – Los Padres National Forest officials today issued a forest order closing the Mill Fire area on the Monterey Ranger District to the public effective tomorrow, August 4. Forest Service law enforcement officers will strictly enforce the closure order, which carries a penalty of $5,000 and/or six months in jail. The order will expire when the Mill Fire is fully contained and controlled.
The emergency road closure of the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (Forest Road 22S01) begins at its intersection with State Highway 1, in the eastern edge of Section 26, Township 22 South, Range 4 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, then continues east for approximately 16 miles to the Los Padres Forest Boundary at Fort Hunter Liggett at the northwest corner of Section 32, Township 22 South, Range 6 East and as shown on the attached map (Exhibit B).
The emergency road closure of Central Coast/Cone Peak Road (Forest Road 20S05.3) begins at its intersection with North Coast Ridge Trail (Forest Trail 3E10) in the northwest corner of Section 1, Township 22 South, Range 4 East, then continues southeast 6.6 miles to its intersection with Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in the southwest corner of Section 17, Township 22 South, Range 5 East.
The emergency road closure of South Coast Road (Forest Road 20S05.4) begins at its intersection with Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in the northwest corner of Section 20, Township 22 South, Range 5 East and continues southeast approximately three miles to where the pavement ends near Chalk Peak in the center of Section 28, Township 22 South, Range 5 East.
The emergency trail closure of Kirk Creek Trail (Forest Trail 4E21) begins at its intersection with State Highway 1, in the northeast quarter of Section 26, Township 22 South, Range 4 East and follows northeast for approximately 7.5 miles to its intersection with Central Coast/Cone Peak Road in Section 7, Township 22 South, Range 5 East.
The emergency trail closure of Mill Creek Trail (Forest Trail 5E12) starts at its intersection with Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in Section 25, Township 22 South, Range 4 East and continues three miles to its intersection with Central Coast/Cone Peak Road) in Section 20, Township 22 South, Range 5 East.
Dispersed campfires are strictly forbidden in Los Padres National Forest. Violators face a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail and may also be liable for paying restitution for fire suppression costs—which can run into millions of dollars—for a wildfire started by an illegal campfire.
###Los Padres closure order bars public from Mill Fire area
Mill Fire, Day 5, 8/3/19
MILL FIRE
August 3, 2019
USFS UPDATE
Date Started:July 30, 2019Cause: Under InvestigationTotal Acres: 310Containment: 50%
Injuries to Date: 1Structures Damaged/Destroyed:0Total Personnel: 478
Assigned Resources:
Crews: 15Engines: 21Helicopters:3Air Tankers: 0
Evacuations: 0
Current:
KING CITY, Calif. – The Mill Fire was reported at 5:36 am Tuesday, July 30, near Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and the intersection of California State Highway 1 in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. The fire has currently burned approximately 310 acres. There are 478 firefighters on scene as part of a full response that includes engine crews, hand crews and air support. There is currently 50% containment.
Overnight there was minimal fire activity. Today crews will continue suppression efforts and work to increase containment. Water drops help cool the fire, reduce spread and contribute to suppression and containment.
There are currently no evacuations in effect and no structures threatened. There has been one minor injury. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Road Closures:
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is currently closed at Highway 1 and at the Fort Hunter Liggett Boundary to allow emergency equipment and fire engines to safely navigate the road.
For additional Fire Information call Monterey Ranger District (831) 385-5434
This will be the last day I provide updates on this fire, unless there is a drastic change. One of my neighbors stopped by and said, “They get an A+ on the way they handled this fire.” Yes, they do. There are so many to thank for what they did, but I was not “on the line,” so I may not know the whole story, but it seems to me, the IC (Incident Commander) on this fire for the first 3 days deserves a lot of credit. They are the ones making the decisions, putting in the request for resources, and leading the effort. There were 2 ICs for the Mill Fire for those first critical 3 days — Tony Zavalla was the day IC and the night IC was Pete Harris of the USFS Nacimiento Station. Tony & Pete, you did a terrific job. I think you both showed them you were more than worthy of a promotion to be part of a Type 2 Incident Management Team.
Besides Tony & Pete, we had the most cooperative agreement I have seen in my 30 years down here — USFS, Big Sur Fire, FHL, and Cal Fire working in coordinated effort, like a well-oiled (and trained) machine. While weather played no small part (no wind, fuels still moist), it was the professional men and women who put everything on the line each fire and each season that made the difference.
It was not just the paid professionals, but also the volunteer professionals who made a difference. Our volunteer fire department was one of the first on the scene, as they so often are.There was also the MCSO volunteer SAR (Search and Rescue) people who made sure all the back country hikers and campers were found and warned and brought out. Once they were, VWA sent volunteers down to staff the trail head to make sure no new hikers tried to go back there. Meaningful volunteerism is the sign of a healthy and civilized society. Big Sur is very healthy.
There are some lessons to be learned and shared from this fire, and I hope they are. Working together there is nothing we can’t accomplish. Team Big Sur — I salute you and tip my hat to your long hard hours of training and perseverance, and for caring so much for Big Sur. I wish I could meet and thank you all.
I know the season is not only not over, but just beginning, really, but I don’t think I have felt this safe in a very long time back here. My son, Brendon Shave, is “patrolling” many nights each week to educate the people he finds with illegal campfires. It makes a difference. No one person can patrol all of Big Sur EVERY night, but if we all chip in and do what we can, instead of waiting for some government agency to handle it, we can make a difference. Other neighborhoods have “neighborhood watches” we can establish “neighborhood fire watches.” Set up a meeting in your portion of Big Sur and set up fire patrols. Remember, polite and respectful works wonders with the uneducated and uninformed. Feeling empowered and feeling safe is a wonderful feeling. This is our home. No one cares as much as we do, and no one takes care of it like we do. Let’s band together and take care of the problem, instead of just complaining. Signs aren’t the answer — they are often ignored. Education and knowledge are the answer. Educate in every contact you have with our visitors in a respectful manner. You will get the message across better if people listen and hear you, and they won’t listen if they are not being respected and honored. We need to change our attitude, if we expect others to change theirs.
We got this, Big Sur. Let’s do it!
Highway One overnight Closures at Ragged Point for 4 weeks starting 8/12
Today’s Date: Friday, August 2, 2019
District: 05–Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa
Cruz Counties
Contact: Jim Shivers or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3237 or (805) 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HIGHWAY 1 VIADUCT PROJECT IN RAGGED POINT TO RESULT IN FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES
These overnight full highway closures will continue each week, Sunday night through Friday morning from 9 pm until 5 am to allow for the construction of the foundation of the viaduct. This work is anticipated to last up to four weeks. Emergency vehicles will maintain access during these overnight closures.
Motorists will also encounter one-way reversing traffic control within the project limits on Monday, August 12 from 5 am until 4 pm and from 6 am until 4 pm on Fridays.
These highway closures and traffic control is part of an emergency project to construct a viaduct and retaining wall on Highway 1 near Ragged Point.
A temporary traffic signal is scheduled to be activated in late August or early September allowing traffic to proceed in each direction 24/7 until project completion. Electronic message boards will alert the public.
The contractor for this $4.1 million project is Souza Engineering of San Luis Obispo, CA. It’s scheduled to be complete by Spring of 2020.
Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.
For traffic updates on other state highways in San Luis Obispo County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm
Mill Fire, Day 4, 8/2/19
Incident evening update, only changes are: no fix wing aircraft on fire, and containment has increased to 25%, acreage has not increased. Otherwise, all is going well.
The Mill Fire was reported at 5:36 a.m. on July 30, 2019 on Mill Creek, north west of the Ventana Wilderness off of Nacimiento Ferguson Road. As of this morning, 280 acres have burned with 20% containment. The fire is burning in chaparral, timber and tall grass. It is burning in steep and rugged terrain. Currently, there is no threat to communities, structures or to the public. Access into the area via roads and trails has been closed off.
There are currently 630 resources assigned to the fire, including:
Crews – 23
Engines – 26
Type 1 Helicopters – 3
Type 2 Helicopters – 2
Lead planes – 2
Fixed Wing – 1
Incident Information
Basic Information
| Current as of | 8/2/2019, 11:07:51 AM |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Date of Origin | Tuesday July 30th, 2019 approx. 05:30 AM |
| Location | Northwest of Ventana Wilderness off of Nacimiento Ferguson Road |
| Incident Commander | Anthony Zavalla |
| Incident Description | Wildland Fire |
| Coordinates | 36.009 latitude, -121.467 longitude |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 630 |
| Size | 280 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 20% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Monday August 05th, 2019 approx. 11:00 PM |
| Fuels Involved | Chaparral, timber and tall grass |
| Significant Events | Fire behavior declined after midnight. Activity on the line decreased. Good recovery. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Increase containment and keep the fire from crossing Nacimiento Ferguson Road to the south into the Ventana Wilderness and from getting into Mill and Kirk Creek drainages and north of Cone Peak. |
Current Weather
| Weather Concerns | Typical weather patterns along the Big Sur Coast line is to have a marine layer between 1000 to 1500 feet. Land above that elevation has no humidity recovery or influence from the marine layer, which increases fire behavior. High pressure continues to establish today with expected increase in temperatures and decrease of relative humidities. |
Good Morning! Great day in the neighborhood, no smoke visible. Quiet start to the day, good night’s sleep, and some great aerials to upload (thanks to Chip Laugharn, USFS). An absolutely amazing stop to this fire in impossible terrain. The interagency cooperation between USFS, FHL, Big Sur Fire, and Cal Fire BEU was a big success. Huge thanks to all those in the field, in the air, and in the support positions, you all did an incredible job. I’ll post the incident report when it comes in this morning. In the mean time, enjoy the view! I also need to give a huge shout out to VWA volunteers for staffing the trailhead to keep people out of the back country and to the MCSO SAR volunteers for evacuating everyone in the back country. It really took a village to handle this one.
Photo credit for the five aerials below to Nic Elmquist. Fire Behavior Analysts- former Hotshot and Chief Officer from Los Padres National Forest. (Thanks, Chip)
