What Cal Fire PIOs do and how they do it. Photo by SLOStringer. This PIO is from SLU, Bennett Millory.
Cuesta Fire Update
it is currently 100 acres and 10% contained. These are the weather condition predictions for today.
Here is what SLO’s KSBY says about the cause:
Here is an overview of those fires and their current status as of Monday morning:
“1) The Cuesta Fire — a name given to multiple fires along Cuesta Grade, has burned 100 acres and is 10% contained Monday morning. The fires broke out on the northbound side of the highway at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The Cuesta Fire is burning in steep terrain. It did threaten one structure, but crews were able to protect it. More than 250 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. Many worked throughout the night.
CAL FIRE said the flames were burning directly beneath power lines. They said they didn’t expect those flames to cause power issues, but a representative with the power company was called out to monitor the situation. CAL FIRE Chief Rob Lewin said his biggest concern Sunday night was offshore winds, which could cause the fire to move down the grade and jump containment lines Monday morning.
Caltrans crews shut down two lanes of northbound traffic for most of Sunday evening. All lanes are now re-opened and fire officials say they don’t expect the fire to jump the highway. No evacuations are in place at this time.
2) The Cholame Fire — a brush fire near Cottonwood Pass on Highway 41 — was fully contained by midnight Sunday at 12 acres.
The California Highway Patrol says the flames were west of mile marker 50 at the top of the summit known as Cottonwood Pass. That’s northeast of Cholame. This fire was caused by the same vehicle that caused the Cuesta Fire.
3) The Grade Fire — It broke out Sunday afternoon near Buellton and stopped traffic for some time on Highway 101 North. The fire sparked alongside the roadway at the top of the Nojoqui Grade. As of Sunday night, it had burned between four and six acres and was 80 percent contained. An update on containment was not immediately available.”
Cuesta Fire
Cuesta Fire -Photo by SLOStringer
i have been trying to post about this since 7:30 last night, which is when this was taken.
7:30 Multiple starts from about an hour ago merged into one fire on Cuesta Grade. It was started by a dragging chain, and it is probably the same vehicle that started the fire in Santa Barbara County, as well. The fire has crested the ridge to the East of 101. One observer reports it is rugged territory with much fuel. He witnessed 100′ flames, and estimates over 25 acres currently I have a photo from SLOStringer I will try to post when I can. Aircraft were called off for the evening, but are in order for tomorrow. Currently, dozers are trying to put in fire breaks around it, and one structure has structure protection in place.
As of 9:30 last night, it was reported to be 75 acres with zero containment. I’ll try to get an update before going back to sleep – it’s 4 am.
Another Scorcher
here we go … A few degrees warmer than yesterday.
On another note, I am happy to see the F&G wardens patrolling so thoroughly. I am sure they are responsible for citing all the illegal campfires, BUT that doesn’t give them permission to come through my property whenever it is convenient. A month or two ago it was 6 am, this morning it was 8:30 am. I’ve got s call in to their lieutenant. The rules for law enforcement are: fire or life and death. Period. NOT convenience. That doesn’t work for me,
Friday Morning in the Neighborhood
Noon: two more!
Recent Incidents (Prepared 08/14/2015 12:00)
Date Inc # Name Type Location WebComment Resources IC Fuels Acres Lat/Lon
08/14/2015 11:32 LPF-2462
New Wildfire Prewitt camp . . . . . 35.971 x 121.451
08/14/2015 10:50 LPF-2461
New Wildfire 3 miles s. of summit S. Coast ridge road . . . . . 36.011 x 121.452
I’m beginning to think there is a conspiracy of idiocy to set fire to the South Coast, no matter what it takes. Two and 1/2 months or so more of this? Lord help me. Saw a Toyota RJ with a ton of wood down at Cowabunga yesterday. Couldn’t find the guy/gal and gave some thought to stealing all the wood … Not worth the possible consequences.
08/14/2015 10:19 LPF-2458
Wildfire 1/2 mile s. of nacimiento summit . . . . . 36.008 x 121.451
08/14/2015 10:08 LPF-2457
New Wildfire Nacimiento summit . . . . . 36.011 x 121.452
08/14/2015 09:24 LPF-2456
. Smoke Check PREWITT CR/HWY 1 M . . . . . 35.933 x 121.467
Cow Cliffs Project to begin 8/24
And even MORE Overnight closures are in our future!
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HIGHWAY 1/COW CLIFFS VIADUCT PROJECT BEGINS MONDAY, AUGUST 24
MONTEREY COUNTY –A primarily daytime ½-mile project to construct a viaduct along Hwy. 1 near Lucia from south of Big Creek Bridge to South of Dolan Creek Bridge, 18 miles south of Big Sur will begin on Monday, Aug. 24, Caltrans officials announced today.
Hwy. 1 at Cow Cliffs will have one-way signalized traffic control 24/7, which is already in place. Traffic will be stopped for 10 minutes at a time during daytime roadwork. However, full overnight closures will not take place until approximately December, after the Elephant Trunk Retaining Wall overnight closures have been completed.
The project consists of constructing a permanent viaduct, about five miles north of Lucia and 18 miles south of Big Sur. Completion is scheduled for fall of 2016, weather permitting. Daily roadwork schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors so stay tuned for regular updates. ALL BUSINESSES ALONG THE BIG SUR COAST WILL REMAIN OPEN.
In order to minimize traffic impact as part of the project, there will be advance notification for motorists, residents and businesses via a traffic hotline, electronic message signs and email updates.
At a loss for words…there is no limit to humanity’s stupidity
This photograph was [NOT – see correction] taken at the Lake Fire near Lakeport. It is pretty graphic. It was sent to a friend from a ff up there. He noted, “This could easily be Highway One, if people aren’t careful.” I wish I knew the photographer. If you do, please let me know.
CORRECTION: A friend, Jean LeBlanc, sent me a link to the REAL STORY behind this photo above. It was arson and caused 5 heart attack deaths. This photo shows The Old Fire jumping Highway 18 in Oct 2003 and was taken by Troy C. Whitman of Cypress, CA. Click on the link just below the photo for the rest of the story.
The stupidity I refer to is in reference to the fires mentioned below. The first was a campfire that Rock Knocker spotted on the way up yesterday. The people were out and about, but left their campfire burning, and their “stuff” was still there. He poured what water he had on it, and when he got up here, I called the USFS at PV Station. It was 2 miles up Plaskett.
08/11/2015 10:45 LPF-2408
New Wildfire PLASKETT RDG CG M . . . . . 35.932 x 121.431
then there was this one:
08/11/2015 17:35 FHL-2416
. Wildfire CONE PK LO M . . . light flashy fuel 5 [acres] 36.077 x 121.282
I do not know the source, but I’m willing to bet next month’s wages it was human caused.
The Lightning Show – a follow-up
The show is over … The skies are clear and the temperature is creeping up to 70. The fog is high, blanketing both the Willow Creek Watershed and the Prewitt Watershed. The fog is less than 500 feet below me, but it will help to keep humidity rates high – a good thing in August. From what I can determine, all lightning-caused fires in Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, and Carmel Valley are out.
However, there were a lot of down strikes in our County. I would remind people that we need to continue to be vigilant, especially if temperatures climb. When the lightning strikes hit SLO County last time, the Bridge Fire in Cambria started FIVE DAYS after the lightning stopped. The fire east of Hearst Castle took 8 days to smolder before it broke out. Everyone in the areas of last night’s down strikes need to continue to be observant.
Also, hunting season starts down here tomorrow. A bullet striking a rock has been known to cause a spark which becomes a wildfire. Governor Brown has declared a state of emergency for the entire State of California due to heightened fire dangers and ongoing fires. Let’s all be safe and protective of this land we love.
Vegetation Fire at bottom of Willow Creek
11:00 pm – A vegetation fire broke out near Treebones and the bottom of Willow Creek around 10:20 or so during that last round of lightning strikes all around here. BSVFB was first on the scene. LPF 16 was dispatched, as well as Cal Fire units from both San Luis Obispo and Monterey County. Jon Knight was giving Martha Karstens a report when I called her back. Saying there is NO RROS (rapid rate of spread) which is a good thing. Will stay up and report for the next hour, then hopefully, off to bed.
08/06/2015 22:45 LPF-2339
New Wildfire MM 1 11.00 WILLOW CREEK ROAD M . BC11LPF BC12LPF CRW1LPF E319LPF UT17 . . . 35.887 x 121.459
the good news is I have received two short but strong downpours since then.
there are also reports of fires in Carmel Highlands and Carmel Valley, but I have no details.
Thunder and Lightning … Oh my
it started about 10 minutes before 8 pm. The lightning looked as if it came from the sun, which was partially hidden by the clouds. I could see the rain over the ocean, too. Then I noticed a brightening of the sky to my north-northeast, but the thunder was distant … So the lightning must be, too. Over the ocean, there were many strikes of different types. Most were lightning bolts. Some were horizontal. I saw one long-lasting one which seemed to extend over the bottoms of all the clouds.
The lightning over the ocean headed north, and slightly east. It looked like it was going over land, possibly around Monterey Bay, perhaps Santa Cruz.
At 9:41 or so, it really picked up … Thunder was loud and close-really close – South Coast Ridge Rd above Prewitt. The dogs are going nuts. I put two in the closet with the light on and the door shut. A third hides at my feet under my desk. Five minutes later the rain came. It probably won’t stick around, but it’s sound is musical. The symphony becomes predominately the bass drums.
I have a feeling it will be a long night for many of us – especially the dogs.