The light …
FOTO Friday, 7
The light …
Big Creek Signal
Today’s Date: Thursday, January 2, 2014 @ noon
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
***Update #2***
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNAL ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR LUCIA IS INSTALLED AND ACTIVATED
MONTEREY COUNTY (Big Sur Coast) – The installation and activation of a temporary traffic signal and on Highway 1 just north of Big Creek Bridge (Post Mile 28) near Lucia is complete, Caltrans officials today announced.
This section of roadway will have signalized, reverse one-way traffic control 24/7 for the next several months. Motorists can expect minor delays not to exceed 10 minutes. Hwy. 1 for all motorists, cyclists and local businesses will remain open during this traffic control.
Major instability in the southbound (ocean-side) lane (150-foot section) requires its closure until permanent repairs can be made.
The signal will remain in place until a short viaduct or other structure is built. A contractor for the permanent repair will be selected later this year.
Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.
For more information on this project and for traffic updates on other Caltrans projects in Monterey County, residents can call the District 5 toll free number at 1-877-448-6771 or can visit our website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/paffairs/release.htm#mon.
Local Assistance Center, Friday 1/3/14
Sorry, I didn’t finish my retrospective yesterday. Will try to finish today.
From Monterey County Office of Emergency Services
Hi All,
If you have not already gotten this information, I wanted to share this with you and anyone else that it would benefit. This is from the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services, which will host a local assistance center for residents impacted by the fire. Please share widely –
Happy New Year to you all,
Maia Carroll
We have scheduled a 1 day local assistance Center for the residents impacted by the Pfeiffer Fire. This event is being sponsored by The State of California and Monterey County.
Location: Multiple Agency Facility, Big Sur Station #1, Big Sur CA(MAC) Hwy 1 just south of Pfeiffer State Park entrance
Time Frame: Friday January 3rd, 10:00AM -5:00PM
There will be Wi-Fi is agencies need it as well as tables and chairs. Only a few phones lines in the room where we will be located.
There is ample parking for everyone.
Agencies invited/confirmed:
State Agencies:
Franchise Tax Board
MVD
CA Dept. of Insurance
County Agencies
Social Services
Assessor’s Office
RMA permits
OES
Federal
NRCS
NGOS
ARC
Tzu Chi
2013 – a 12-month retrospective
January 2013:
February 2013 brought me Missy, the Mystery dog
March 2013 this is what the Rock Shed and bridge looked like. I hear it in good authority that it will be open in January, but, of course, a new project has already begun that will put us back to one lane for an undisclosed length of time at Big Creek.
April brought the fracking issue.
May brought quite a few fires, fortunately small. 5/20 there was a fire East of Cayucous; 5/24, the White Fire in the Los Padres, down near SB; 5/30, a fire near the shooting range on Highway One as well as a fire on FHL.
June brought the Super Moon.
In July, this blog celebrated five years! And blogged about 7 fires. 
In August, this photo got the most comments: The Color of August.
In September, the first rain of the season brought hope of an early end to the fire season – a hope which was dashed and thrashed, and we are STILL hoping the fire season will end soonest!
October brought the 22nd Annual Jade Festival, a controlled burn at Ft Ord that got away, and a mud slide near Gorda that closed the Highway.
November, I saved a life.
December will forever be remembered for the Pfeiffer Fire.
Ocean Frontiers 11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22,2013
CONTACT: LYNDA SAYRE, CHAIR B-SAGE, An action group of Communities for
Sustainable Monterey County (CSMC)
(831) 667-8823, lyndasayre@gmail.com
Big Sur Premier of “Ocean Frontiers 11”
Wednesday, January 15
Big Sur Grange Hall
Hwy 1 & Juan Higuera Creek
Big Sur, California 93920
Free soup and salad at 6.
Bring your own place setting
Rise Up Singing and Program at 6:30
Donations gratefully accepted – Help with set up at 5:30 appreciated
Ocean Frontiers 1I, A New England story for Sustaining the Sea, brings audiences face-to-face with those now embarking on the nation’s first multi-state ocean plan.
The 40 minute film highlights the historic and emerging ocean uses of New England waters and introduces viewers to people working on the Northeast regional ocean planning initiative. In a region steeped in old maritime tradition, we see a modern wave of big ships, energy industries, and a changing climate, now testing the limits of an already crowded sea. But in a pioneering trial of far-sighted planning—pushed by blueprints for offshore wind energy—old residents and new are coming together to keep their ocean and livelihoods alive.
Dr. George Somero, David and Lucile Packard Professor of Marine Science and Associate Director–Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, retired, will answer questions and help us understand why this film is important to those of us living on Monterey Bay.
Ocean Frontiers 11 is an inspiring story of citizens coming together to promote healthier economies and healthier seas across New England, and is the second of an award-winning film series produced by Green Fire Productions. (The first film shown in Big Sur last January had a standing room only turnout.)
We see how collaborative planning reduces conflicts over ocean resources and puts us on a new path of ocean stewardship. Rhode Island citizens—coastal planners, fishermen, Native American tribal leaders, environmental advocates, scientists, and wind energy executives—are featured in the film, showcasing the Ocean State’s work to not only identify options for developing offshore wind power, but to prepare for the full gamut of impending demands upon the state’s ocean.
To screen the Ocean Frontiers II film trailer visit http://www.ocean-frontiers.org/trailer. http://www.facebook.com/OceanFrontiers or twitter@Ocean_Frontiers.
Press images: http://www.ocean-frontiers.org/press
Presented by B-SAGE and the Big Sur Grange
FOTO Friday, 6
Had to skip last Friday due to Fire and necessary announcements. Now we are back to semi-regular postings, although I will continue to post relief efforts as needed.
Sycamore Canyon Road Closure 12/27/13
Posted by Butch Kronlund, CPOA
Important Road Closure Notice
The USFS is implementing a hard closure of Sycamore Canyon Road tomorrow, 12-27-13 beginning at 8 AM.
Residents are urged to be off the Road by 8 AM or use alternate routes, if available. Tourist traffic will be denied access while locals can expect 1/2 hour delays. This closure will be in effect until at least 12 noon and may last longer depending on progress in chipping and brush clearing operations.
Meetings today re Pfeiffer Fire recovery
There will be an important meeting at the Big Sur Multi Agency Facility on Thursday, December 26th at 11:30 AM.
This meeting, which will be held after the 10:30 AM Public Meeting, is restricted to people who were directly impacted by the Fire on Pfeiffer Ridge and other invited, non-Agency personnel. This means if you are either a Property Owner or Renter who suffered losses (your housing or other real property burned), this meeting is geared toward helping you with your immediate and long term needs.
Available at this meeting will be a needs assessment form to fill out (a prerequisite for receiving grant funds for rebuilding from Fire Relief Funds) and an update on the steps towards getting the fire debris removed, and getting you back on your property. Some of the services that will make a big difference in getting your lives back to normal include free site cleanup, free sanitary facilities on your property, no permit fees and expedited plan check review from Monterey County Planning and Building. Additionally, arrangements are being made to get your important documents (Ca. Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, etc.) re-created on some future date, to be determined, at a venue here in Big Sur.
At this meeting there will be a brief report on the steps and the players involved in preparing for the potential of post fire erosion and debris flows.
We have asked folks who were impacted by the Basin Complex Fire to attend this meeting to share their wisdom about what worked and what didn’t, in an effort to save you from some of the pitfalls that may arise, as you start to recover and rebuild.
Butch Kronlund
CPOA
Merry Christmas
Brought to you by Dan Danbom! Thanks, Dan
USFS Update, 12/23/13 – Pfeiffer Fire
Pfeiffer Fire
Los Padres National Forest December 23, 2013 10:00 AM UPDATE (No further evening update)
Fire Information Phone: (831) 667-0951
Incident: Pfeiffer Fire, started on December 16, 2013
Location: Pfeiffer Ridge Area, Big Sur, CA
Agency Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service.
Cooperating Agencies: Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, CalFire, Monterey County Sheriff, OES, CHP, Red Cross, Cal Trans
Current Size: 917 Acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 100 %
Containment: 12-20-2013
Current Resources: Crews:-2 Engines: 09 Dozers: 0 Helicopters -2 Air tankers: As Needed
Total Personnel: 188
Structures: Residents-34, Outbuildings-4
Assessment team’s confirmation shows a total loss of 34 residences, an increase from previous reports.
Today’s Activities: Crews continue to mop up and patrol. Due to predicted increased temperature, but higher relative humidity, fire activity inside the perimeter is expected to be less.
Residents of Clear Ridge, Middle Ridge, and Front Hill areas were allowed to return to their homes on 12/21/13.
PG&E will continue working along Sycamore Road and Pfeiffer Ridge Rd. They will be using a helicopter to transport materials into the burn area and job sites.
Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team 7, under the Command of Incident Commander Mark Nunez, transitioned management of the incident yesterday, December 22, 2013 to Curt Schwarm, Type 3 Incident Commander for Los Padres NF. The team would like to thank the community of Big Sur for their cooperation and patience during the Pfeiffer Fire Incident.
Weather: No major weather changes are expected over the area today.
Evacuations: Evacuations of residences in Pfeiffer Ridge Community from Sycamore Road on the south to Clear Ridge on the north, to Highway 1 on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west are still in effect.
Community Meeting: Community Meetings will resume on Monday at 10:30 at the Big Sur Station, Highway 1, Big Sur, CA
Road Closures: Sycamore Road, Pfeiffer Ridge Road, and the road from River Inn to intersection with Pfeiffer Ridge Road. Both lanes of Highway 1 are currently open. Situational Awareness while driving is encouraged due to increase. BE SAFE!
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering free confidential site visits for fire effected land owners. John.warner @ca.usda .gov.
PG&E contact # 1-831-479-3074 WWW.PGE.com