8:30 pm – today’s burn out operation om the west side of the fire as a slide show from Kyle Evans:

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7:30 pm – Here is “find the firefighters” by Jeff Mallory

That is some steep country.

5:15 pm – from Steve Harper, edited for brevity and clarity:

To the left you can see mt Manuel and where the fire has stopped burning. You can see the Mt Manuel trail on the left and the Pine Ridge trail on the right. The very steep hand line is on the south side of the river and is running down the the back loop of the State Park campgrounds.

Anyway here is the photo. You can see the flank of Mt Manuel and the Mt Manuel trail and the road that goes up to the SP water tank, and the water tank itself. Further north are the ridges, some with visible flames. Steve Harper thinks the Gorge will be a problem, as he evidenced by asking about it at the last meeting.

 

00 pm – well this is a lot of fun … A fire just broke out WSW of me on the West side of Lake Naciemento. It is 100-200 acres and moving fast. This could get interesting – one to the north west of me and one to the south east. Hmmm…Moving to new post, will keep this one focused on Soberanes.

From Ken Wright at 4:18 pm – “Firing from Juan Higuera along the slope South the Gorge and beyond.” 1/2 hour later, Ken reports the back fire seems to be going perfectly. Here’s the view of it from Clear Ridge by Jen Smith:

3:45 pm – near Hopkins Ridge, by Kyle Evans

1:45 pm – Juan Higuera from Clear Ridge by Jeff Mallory:

12:30 pm – getting questions about the warned-about road closure, but I have heard nothing. One local in a burn out area was told (unknown level of authority) that if things didn’t go well with the burn out operations currently being conducted, a closure could be ordered. So far, all reports are that it is going well.

11:30 am – this is where the firing operation is going on – between Div breaks of N and O. It’s been going on for a while, per Soaring’s comment. My understanding (not a “for sure” thing by any means) is that the plan is to continue burn out operations, as weather permits down that dozer line through “N” to Div “ZZ” and further down, ahead of the main fire. This plan, of course, can change as the weather changes or the fire does.

9 am – today’s acreage is listed as 71,860 with containment at 60%. Want to know how the backburn on Coast Road is doing? Read Soaring’s eloquent and moving account in the comments section on this post. Made my day. Also reported that the backburn on the handline at Juan Higuera is going well, as well.

7 am – just a reminder, then I will be back later.

8:00 pm – fire is still 70,615 acres, but now 60% contained.

From my friend near Juan Higuera:

“This is from the hand line they built today on the N/Side of S/Fork of Juan Higuera. They started from a black knoll working their way down to a line to take across S/Fork tomorrow I suspect. Put in 6000 ft of hose to pump water to backup their operation. Have another 2500ft set up across from where they suspect the fire will go.

A good day for Fire Guys who were Billy’s goats today on a near vertical hillside. One I have not hike in 20 plus years!

My smile may return yet!”

Look closely. You can see a ff on the hand line below the fires. Way to go guys and gals!!

Perimeter of fire this afternoon, provided by John Chesnut:

Noon, a slide show of the burn out operation yesterday by Scott Moffatt, who so generously let me grab whatever I wanted to share. (When he says: “left off Friday” I am sure he meant Thursday.

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From Soaring:

“Huge amount of crews drove up in the last hour to restart the burn out on North Coast Ridge Rd, when conditions are right. Expect more smoke. This time it is a Sacramento strike team at our property. The Lassen strike team is following the burn operation south down the road. Across from us, to the east, the burn is still smoldering, has worked its way in the under story of the trees in the wilderness, every now and then we see a flare of a tree going up, but lots are still standing in the burn. Had a multitude of red fires out the window in the dark of the night, now it’s not so smoky. May all the conditions be favorable.” “Sorry, to clarify, those red fires I wrote about were small logs in the burn, putting up light and color, but there wasn’t much wind, the smoke went straight up. So far so good.”

10:30 am – Since this fire first hit the national forest, the plan has been to hold it north of Nacimiento RD. Even today, on the situation report, that is the plan. In 2008, after the Basin Fire was finished, a new fire appeared on the South side of Nacimiento RD. In looking for info about that fire, I was referred back to my own blog … Hmmm…and was shown this photo:

9:00 am – Here is a slide show of some photos taken yesterday at Terrace Creek by Cordelia Cluett who lost the home she grew up in up Marble Peak in the 2008 Basin Fire. It provides a different perspective of the back burns yesterday. Thanks, Cordelia

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From the Post Ranch looking East toward Ventana Inn of the back burn operation yesterday. Photo by Jeffrey Carmichael

7:00 am – Big Sur Valley is a bit on edge today, as communities usually are in front of a firing operation. The smoke is drifting down this direction more than it did yesterday, but still not as bad as it looked in town. Busy waiting for report ins from others, and checking on things, but hopefully, those in Big Sur Valley will start sharing their views, thoughts, and experiences after morning coffee.  Until then, sent last night by Michael Minasian of Big Sur Center, taken at 5:50 pm at 27,000′

And from John Chesnut a similar one showing the back burn from behind Ventana to behind Deetjen’s. If you zoom in, you can see what looks like a dozer line on the ridge top, all the way down off the map. This may be the one left over from the Basin that is or will be used again.

From Keith Vandervere:

Firing operations begin on Coast Ridge. Thursday evening maps & notes https://xasauantoday.com/2016/08/05/soberanes-fire-week-three/

5:30 pm – the view north from my place. I am hoping that this is a backburn mentioned on FB as being back behind Deetjen’s. There appear to be two smoke columns. For orientation, the point sticking out WAY in the back (on the left) is Pt. Sur and  the Lighthouse, which I can see at night

From Kyle Evans looking south from Pfeiffer Ridge to Mount Manuel, on the left, with the fire camps below on Monday night – such devastation can also be so beautiful.

1:00 pm – From the beauty of the fire (see below) to the ugliness of some of our tourists:

Kathleen (Lee) and Byran (Flores) I got a call this morning. I went down to Old Coast Road next to Bixby Bridge and this is what I saw right behind storm drain. It is a hose used to pump an RV septic tank. Can you please notify CalTrans or whoever? I hope someone can get it out of there. Let me know if they can’t and I will do it myself. Also I would like the sheriff and CHP advised about this new approach to sanitation. Ken Ekelund

Here’s one of my favorite photos by Rachel Moody from Applie Pie Ridge, taken Monday Night. In my opinion, it is a classic.

10:30 am – Hopkins Ridge activity by Sharen Carey:

From BSHC:

NOTICE: BIG SUR HEALTH CENTER PSYCHOLOGICAL DEBRIEFING, Saturday, August 13, 11:00 am.
Dr. Ann Flood will lead a psychological debriefing in order to help prevent post-traumatic stress syndrome related to the Sobranes Fire. The debriefing will begin at 11:00 AM at Big Sur Health Center. Those wishing to have a private meeting with Dr. Flood will be able to meet with her after the debriefing. There is no charge for these services.
During the Basin Complex Fire we had similar counseling services which proved extremely beneficial for many residents. We hope you will take advantage of these complimentary services.
Spanish speaking services will also be available, if needed, provided by Eduardo Eisner.

Also on Friday, the 12th, the Soberanes Fire Fundraiser at the Golden State Theater. I will look for the flyer and post here:

And then on Sunday, there is another fundraiser here:

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From the Los Padres National Forest of the USFS:

Recreation Facilities that are Open on the Monterey Ranger District

GOLETA, Calif., August 11, 2016…Los Padres National Forest officials today clarified the campgrounds and day use facilities that are open for recreational use on the Monterey Ranger District.
Although much of the Monterey Ranger District is closed because of the Soberanes wildfire, the following sites are open for public use:

· Arroyo Seco Recreation Area
· Kirk Creek Campground
· Mill Creek Day Use Area
· Nacimiento Campground
· Ponderosa Campground
· Sand Dollar Day Use Area
· Plaskett Creek Campgrounds
· Willow Creek Day Use Area

The campgrounds at Arroyo Seco, Kirk Creek, Nacimiento, Ponderosa and Plaskett Creek require a reservation or are sometimes available on a first come, first serve basis. To ensure a camping space, please contact the concessionaire:

Rocky Mountain Recreation – http://rockymountainrec.com or (831) 674-5726 (Arroyo Seco)
Parks Management Company – http://recreation.gov or (805) 434-1996 or (877) 444-6777 (Kirk Creek, Plaskett Creek, Ponderosa, and Nacimiento)
Members of the public are reminded that they should call ahead to the Monterey District Office at (831) 385-5434 for the latest conditions and always consult the National Weather Service for current weather forecasts.

###

Here is this morning’s facts sheet:

7:15 am – We have no IR map for the second day in a row, so the perimeter on our maps is out of date. Not much we can do about that, unfortunately. Up here, I can see a thick, heavy marine layer covering all the coast visible to me. It is almost chilly up here, so far today. This is a really good thing for our coastal areas of the fire. Hoping the marine influence will help the last stages of the battle to save Big Sur Valley today, which has thus far been successful. Hoping all can rest a little easier when this day is done.

7:45 pm – note from Kathleen Lee – the controlled burn from the Molera fire camp was done to control the Italian Thistle so that the trucks that are parking there, are not bringing it out with them to spread it through out the area. Kudos to the State Park Biologists!

7:30 pm – report from a happy local business owner:

“Smile on my face tonight. Marine layer was able to stop the fire in the middle of Juan Higuera basin, the N/F of Juan Higuera is considerable less a threat due to direct attack by Hot Shots from Dell Rosa or Dela Rosa, USFS crew real animals!

The S/F of JH has an area they tried to slow with water until the marine layer returned, they did a backfire to create a safe zone on Hopkin’s and they plan to go direct tomorrow on that area.

By Friday this should be a memory!”

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7:00 pm – I promised my report from yesterday, so here it is, finally.

We fortified ourselves at the hotel Tuesday with a room service breakfast, packed, and headed out. I need to give a shout out to the Portola Hotel and Spa where we were treated so very well and given a Motel 6 rate for a 4-star room. It was greatly appreciated. We had a dinner that was unbelievable at Jack’s on Sunday night, after the fundraiser, as the crowds were so big and the lines were so long, we couldn’t get the samples of what, I’m sure, were wonderful bites.

So we had the usual town things to take care of, but made it to the River Inn by 11 or so on Tuesday for coffee and Internet, food for Rock Knocker, and local gossip. (Note: if they won’t let me start paying for things, I may have to stop coming!! But then I would miss everyone.) On the way, I stopped at the Little Sur and watched the fire burning on the west side of Pico Blanco, mostly saw smoke, not flames. Also noticed a number of dozers up on the ridge on the north side.

Rather than recount the day, let me summarize the things I took away – first, the tourist traffic was dismally slow and dangerous with lookey loos. The large turnout across from Pfeiffer Ridge was packed with cars, people crossing the road, and a lone officer trying to enforce some semblance of order (mostly ineffectual). Each available turnout in Big Sur was filled with tourists taking photos of the fires. Not a pretty sight. I was astounded at the patience the tourist industry workers were exhibiting with the inane questions and cluelessness. It is a great thing that I ended my tourist industry career about 25 years ago. I don’t have the patience.

We stopped in the parking lot at Ripplewood to watch the 4 helicopters we heard at River Inn come in from the ocean with full buckets, go back behind the short ridge right behind the resort and circle to the top of the Juan Higuera drainage and drop their water … One after the other, after the other, in well practiced precision. I wish we could have seen the actual drops. We later watched the drops on Mt. Manuel and those guys are accuracy in motion. Such pros. I stopped at the TapRoom to use the internet again and recount what I saw, but had nothing to eat or drink, as I was still full. Kurt and I talked the whole time, so was unable to post.

Most of those in the Valley were cautiously optimistic on Tuesday given the hellacious day and night they had had on Monday. I saw my community the way it is during an emergency – the best of the best. I am always so proud to be a member of this wonderful group of human beings, who pick on each other in the best of times, but put it ALL aside and work tirelessly and well together in the worst of times. I can never leave here. It has my heart and my soul – it is the love of my life: the land and the people. Thank you for welcoming me into the fold 31 years ago.

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4:15 pm – fire in the new fire camp at Andrew Molera? How could this happen? This has got to be a first. Photo by Mike Gilson. One local has it as a “controlled burn” for the fire camp. No “official” confirmation, yet. “At Molera it was a controlled burn from all the poison oak brush they cleared for camp, just didnt bother telling anyone…”

 

Another photo by Mike Gilson, showing Ewoldsen’s (aka The Knoll) on the left taken at some time:

3:45 pm – I wish I knew the story behind this one. Just glad the pilot made it safely back to the airport. “Hey Kate….just had a tanker declare an emergency for smoke in the cockpit…..he just landed and shut down on the taxiway…..it is T01….engine crews are at the A/C.”

3:30 pm – from Cal-Fire:

Noon – I cannot believe I actually fell asleep again, after such a wonderful night’s sleep, but I did! I received these photos from Ray Martorano, a retired fire captain from FHL who lives near the Paso Airport. He is one of the many, many people who help to keep me up-to-date with information. After 38 years on the FHL Fire Dept. it is in his blood. You can see our fire clearly from there, and here are two of the 5 tankers that are working it from Paso:

8:00 am – and so the healing begins (photo by Michael Troutman):

Mother Nature continues to amaze with her healing powers.

7:45 am – recycling fire signs:

7:00 am – ah … What a long sleep I had. It has been almost 3 weeks since I slept 7 hours in one stretch, and this should do wonders for my mental and physical health. I heard from one of those closest to the fire yesterday, and he, too, slept a solid 8 hours. (Exhaustion will eventually win) The marine layer is over those in Big Sur Valley, mitigating fire behavior, for which we are all greatful. Smell of smoke is heavy in the Highlands, so breeze must be pushing the fire back north from whence it came, which has resulted in cleaner air and safer conditions for those of us in the south.

Fire is 68,698 acres with 50% containment. I don’t expect those containment figures to change much over the next few weeks as the Soberanes makes its way deeper into the wilderness.