Pfeiffer Fire, Day 7 – official report

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Pfeiffer Fire
Los Padres National Forest December 22, 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: 200
Structures: Residents-34, Outbuildings-4
Assessment team’s confirmation shows a total loss of 34 residences, an increase from previous reports.

Today’s Activities: Full Containment was declared yesterday. Crews continue to mop up and patrol. Due to increased temperature, but higher humidifies are expected. Fire activity inside the perimeter are expected to be lower due to higher RH.

Residents of Clear Ridge, Middle Ridge, and Front Hill areas were allowed to return to their homes yesterday.

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, will be transitioning management of the incident to Curt Schwarm, Type 3 Incident Commander of the 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 continue are still in effect..

Community Meeting: No meetings on Saturday and Sunday. 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

2014 Big Sur Foragers Festival

Tickets on sale now at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5769234937. For more information go to http://www.bigsurforagersfestival.org/.

Event Schedule and Confirmed Participants 12.4.14
• Friday, January 17, 2014 – “Firestone and Fungus at Big Sur Roadhouse.” David Walker “The Lion” of Firestone-Walker Brewing Co. will be in the building. BBQ: Rain or Shine. Friday, January 17th
o NoBS Chili
o BBQ Brisket
o Baked field peas
o Long-Cooked foraged winter greens
o Roasted Mushrooms
o And of course, Firestone-Walker brew
o $50.00 including beer pairing.
o 5:30-8:00pm
o Reservation seating-no single start time.
o 50-60 people
• Saturday, January 8, 2014 – Wild Mushroom Walk and Talk” at Pfeiffer State Park and at Ventana Inn & Spa, both led by expert foragers. Cost per person is $35.
• Saturday, January 18, 2014 – “Fungus Face-Off” on the deck at Ventana Inn & Spa from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Cost per person is $45. A friendly competition among some of the area’s notable chefs featuring chanterelles and other fabulous fungi. Celebrity judges are KGO’s Joel Riddell, Jim Dodge and Wendy Brodie. Attendees can forage with the judges and be part of the process, even learn what the judges look for!
o Attendees also have an opportunity to cast their vote for “People’s Choice”.
o Participating restaurants are: Big Sur Roadhouse, Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Esalen, Big Sur Bakery, Fernwood Resort, Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley Ranch and The Restaurant at Ventana.
o Quail and Olive will do an olive oil and vinegar tasting.
o At the “Fungus Face-Off” attendees will be able to purchase “Fun-Gus” related clothing, totes and gifts.
o Wine pairings will be provided by:
 Baker & Brian
 Chappellet
 Chesebro
 Comanche Cellars
 Mesa del Sol
 Madeline
 Mercy
 Dawn’s Dream
 Morgan
 McIntyre
 Filliponi
 Pessagno
 Scheid
 Wrath
• This year there will be a wine raffle! Grab a ticket for $10 to win 30 or more bottles of wine in your own wine barrel! Tickets available for purchase at the event.
• A silent auction full of culinary delights, hotel stays, tickets to explore the area, art and so much more will take place during the food and wine sampling. There will be more than 60 items this year!
• Purchase raffle tickets for $5 per ticket of $25 for 6 tickets. Enter to win your choice of 7 culinary delights or hotel packages! Raffle package values begin at $200 to $700! Tickets available for purchase at the event.
• Grand Celebrity Chef Dinner at Ventana Inn & Spa. “Foragers Dinner” at the Restaurant at Ventana beginning at 6:00 pm. The evening will be a very special meal prepared by Ventana’s executive chef Truman Jones. The multi-course dinner, destined to be a memorable feast paired with an incredible wine selection, costs $175.00 per person.
• Sunday, January 18, 2014 – Sunday Brunch at the new Big Sur Roadhouse

Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox
(831) 747-7455 | Marci@ChatterboxPublicRelations.com

HAPPY SOLSTICE!

The shortest day of the year for the northern hemisphere, and I for one, am REALLY glad to see the days start to get longer tomorrow. I’m taking the day off!

Recovery Information

Monterey County has put together an online page with recovery information for those in the Pfeiffer fire area. Information about re-entry, clean up, steps to take after a fire emergency and contact information for both Planning/Building and Environmental Health are there. Some good general information and links to winter storm preparations, resource guides and protecting yourself from scams as well.

Let me know if there is anything else that should be listed. As new information comes up, we will update.

County Recovery Information

Maia Carroll
Communications/Outreach
Monterey County
carrollm@co.monterey.ca.us

Basin vs. Pfeiffer Fires & MCSO response

I witnessed first hand the attitude of the cops in Big Sur during this fire, vs. the last one, and I know it came from the top down. Scott Miller defeated the last despot, and I worked to elect Sheriff Miller in any way I could, and was so happy to see that my trust was well-placed. He even follows my blog, and greets me at public meetings. While the deputies did their jobs, and tried to keep people both safe and out of the way of emergency vehicles, they all (that I encountered anyway) did so with compassion and understanding. sheriff Miller kept the road open, and neighbors connected. It was such a different experience – a welcome experience.

The Herald did an excellent article on this difference. I quote some of it below.

“Monterey County sheriff’s officials say they have taken a “180-degree turn” in their response to the Pfeiffer Ridge Fire in Big Sur compared to the area’s Basin Complex Fire in 2008.

“We hope that almost everything is different — a philosophical change,” Sheriff Scott Miller said.

Cmdr. Bill Kaye, who is usually posted at the Monterey substation, has been in Big Sur every day since the fire started, accompanied by Sgt. Joe Moses. Miller said “double or triple” the usual number of deputies are working in the area.

But part of the “philosophical change” means a different way of dealing with homeowners who choose not to evacuate, the sheriff said.

“For people who stayed in place, we don’t condone that.

But we are trying to be supportive,” Miller said.
As in the 2008 Basin Complex Fire, some residents are “trying to do their own fire protection activities,” he said.

“There are people who have never left the area. Some are trying to preserve their property or their friends’ property,” he said. “We’re not arresting anyone who isn’t leaving. It doesn’t resolve any problems.”

For the full article go here: Hersld Article

Here is a sample photo:

20131220-184032.jpg
By David Royal, Herald photographer. More available at site.

Pfeiffer Fire, Day 5 – official announcements

Final report: 917 acres, 34 homes, 100% containment.

Pfeiffer Fire

Hi all –

Monterey County has put together an online page with recovery information for those in the Pfeiffer fire area. Information about re-entry, clean up, steps to take after a fire emergency and contact information for both Planning/Building and Environmental Health are there. Some good general information and links to winter storm preparations, resource guides and protecting yourself from scams as well.

Let me know if there is anything else that should be listed. As new information comes up, we will update.

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/Pfeiffer-Fire/

Maia Carroll
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Los Padres National Forest December 20, 2013 8:00 AM 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: 93% Est. Containment: 12-20-2013
Current Resources: Crews: 27 Engines: 52 Dozers: 2 Helicopters-5 Air tankers: As Needed
Total Personnel: 999
Last Night’s Activities: The fire had very little activity and was in a “monitoring” status.

Tonight: Crews continue to make progress mopping up and strengthening lines in all divisions. A transition to a patrol status on the west flank, Sycamore Canyon, and containment lines on the east along Highway 1 while continuing to improve and widen lines up to 300 ft., mop up and hold containment lines where needed. Crews will be on the watch out for possible spotting on the top northeast edge of the fire and from rolling debris that could ignite unburned fuel below.. More smoke may be visible today as unburned areas within the fire’s perimeter continue to burn. Plans for rehabilitation are being implemented in coordination with local forest resource advisors. The reduction in acres is a result of more detailed mapping utilizing GIS and infrared imaging by aircraft.

Demobilization of excess crews and equipment has started as indicated in the reduction of number of personnel listed above.

Weather: High pressure will build today over the Pfeiffer Fire and continue through the weekend bringing a warming trend. Afternoon highs will be in the 60’s with relative humidity near 30%.

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 continue.

An Evacuation Watch issued by Monterey County Sheriffs for the area west of Highway 1 from Fernwood Resort to River Inn is still in effect.

Community Meeting: Friday at 4:00 pm. 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. HIGHWAY 1 remains OPEN with delays. Situational Awareness while driving is encouraged due to increase. BE SAFE!
Closures: Andrew Molera State Park is closed.
Evacuee Assistance: Big Sur Community Hotline: 831-667-2679, hours 9:30am-7:30pm, open through the weekend.
####

From CPOA:

GOOD NEWS

Residents who live on Clear Ridge, Middle Ridge and Front Hill may return home tomorrow, Friday December 20th at 10:00AM. Access, in and out, will only be allowed via Brewers Bridge at Highway 1 just north of the River Inn.

Please be advised that all access points to Sycamore Canyon Road and Pfeiffer Ridge Road will remain closed until critical infrastructure is complete. This means that access from Pius Ridge, Highway 1, Front Hill Road and Clear Ridge Road on to Sycamore Canyon Road will remain closed to all traffic except fire and utilities until PG&E has completed flying in and installing new transmission lines. This also means that the gate at the top of Pfeiffer Ridge (Tucker/Emile Norman) and Clear Ridge as well as the gate connecting Front Hill and Lower Pfeiffer Ridge will be locked and closed to all traffic except fire and Utilities. Law enforcement will be stationed at and enforcing these road closures. This phase is currently scheduled to last into late Sunday afternoon.

Concurrently to the work on Sycamore Canyon Road by PG&E, utility crews will be installing new poles (12) and installing new copper wire along Pfeiffer Ridge Road. This work will entail keeping Pfeiffer Ridge Road closed to all traffic except fire and utilities. This work is estimated to be complete Wednesday the 25, Christmas Day.

The schedule above presupposes that utility crews are able to work 24 hours around the clock. The utility crews will not stop any work to accommodate any traffic other than for fire and law enforcement.

20131220-121602.jpg

Fire Relief Efforts

PERSONAL RELIEF FUND RECOMMENDATIONS BY BIG SUR KATE:

If you have housing, personal services, help with clean-up or the like, I personally recommend you to our local CERT chapter:Big Sur Cert and list them there. This site is tried and true, having been set up during the Basin Fire 5 years ago, and re-activated during any and all emergencies. If you wish to donate money, I recommend our local Coast Property Association again, they are tried and true and their Board of Directors has always worked tirelessly to help our own. They are efficient, organized, and help all deserving individuals and families. 100% of the money they raise goes to the sur-vivers. Beware of organizations or even the occasional individual with their own agenda. (Neither of the organizations listed below are included in that warning. The organization of the,efforts of both organizations Re spearheaded by highly respected locals, Sharen Carey and Ken Wright, respectively.)
**************************

About relief funds: Posted by Sharen Carey
I have seen a number of postings regarding different funds for different individuals affected by the Big Sur Fire. While our hearts and prayers go out to each and every one of these people/families, I find it counter-productive to have multiple funds popping up. We ALL want to help those affected by the fire – and there are many, each with a personal and heart-wrenching story.

CPOA (Coast Property Owners Association) is collecting donations which will be pooled and distributed in the form of grants to those in need of assistance in the rebuilding effort. This organization has the list of ALL affected by the fire and will be distributing funds where needed.
Mom end our
For those who prefer to personally drop off donations of cash or checks, Big Sur Health Center will collect and pass funds on to CPOA.

Having one organization collect and distribute funds will consolidate donation efforts and enable the distribution of funds in an equitable manner to all those in need. Certainly, you can request that your donation be used in support of a specific person or family, if you wish, but, in my humble opinion, we are all in this together and we need to coordinate our efforts in the best interest of all.

On behalf of everyone at Big Sur Health Center, I applaud the generosity of this community and I hope that effort, in some small way, will give comfort to those who have experienced loss in this fire. Our hearts go out to you all.
******************************************

BIG SUR FIRE FUND CREATED TO ASSIST THE BIG SUR COMMUNITY
Donations can be made to http://www.cfmco.org/bigsurfirefund

Monterey County, California — The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has created The Big Sur Fire Fund to assist the Big Sur community in recovery efforts from the 2013 Pfeiffer Ridge Fire. Donations to this fund will provide support in the aftermath of the fire. Grants from the fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies assisting individuals and organizations to meet needs as they arise.

“This is one of the most significant events to impact Monterey County in recent years. The fund at the CFMC will provide support to the Big Sur community,” said Dan Baldwin, CFMC President/CEO.

The CFMC has seeded the fund with a $10,000 grant and has waived all administrative fees so 100% of donations will be used for grantmaking. The funds will be used to make grants to agencies providing emergency assistance, health and wellness, and equipment, among other needs. The fund will provide a trusted repository for philanthropic assets to be directed specifically for this purpose.

Those wishing to contribute to the fund can visit http://www.cfmco.org/bigsurfirefund, mail a check to the Community Foundation for Monterey County, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA, 93940 “Attention: Big Sur Fire Fund,” or call 831.375.9712 Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 PM.

Pfeiffer Fire, Day 4 – Official Announcements

Pfeiffer Fire
Los Padres National Forest December 19, 2013 10:00AM 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: 79% Est. Containment: 12-20-2013
Current Resources: Crews: 31 Engines: 67 Dozers: 2 Helicopters-7 Air tankers: As Needed
Total Personnel: 1,007
Last Night’s Activities: Crews made good progress mopping up and strengthening lines in all divisions. Structure defense preparation continues as well. The expected strong winds accompanying the cold front moved over the fire about 10:00 pm. The stronger winds created a greater risk to firefighters from falling trees, so crews were pulled off the lines to safety points and the fire was in a monitoring status for the remainder of the shift. Scattered rain occurred over the fire area.

Current Situation: Today’s resources continue to improve, mop up and hold lines in all divisions and provide structure protection where needed. Also, efforts will be made to complete containment line on the north end of the fire’s perimeter to tie in remaining open fire line.

Damage assessment teams are going out today to verify addresses and fire damage, as well as damage to infrastructure such as power, sewer and water.

The demobilization process started yesterday for excess firefighting resources.

Weather: High pressure will build Friday through the weekend bringing a warming trend with temperatures in the 60’s and much drier relative humidity, near 20%-30%.

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 continue.

An Evacuation Watch was issued by Monterey County Sheriffs for the area west of Highway 1 from Fernwood Resort to River Inn is still in effect.

Community Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 4:00 pm. 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. HIGHWAY 1 remains OPEN with delays. Between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Highway 1 will be one lane, while crews are working along the highway. Situational Awareness while driving is encouraged due to increase. BE SAFE!

Closures: Andrew Molera State Park is closed.

Evacuee Assistance: The Information Center established at Fernwood Resort by the Red Cross closed Wednesday. People needing assistance from the Red Cross should call 831-320-9989 or Big Sur Community Hotline: 831-667-2679, hours 9:30am-7:30pm, open through the weekend.

Pfeiffer Fire, Day 4 – a local’s perspective

7:00 am – I did not hit the bottom of my dirt road until after dark. I had wanted to get there before, but it just wasn’t in the realm of possibilities. When the fog swirls in the dark wind, bouncing off headlights, it can be treacherous. It was last night. What normally takes 45 minutes, took twice that. Visibility was down to zero in places. The damp fog still covers this ridge top this morning. I hope Pfeiffer has the same thing. The winds maxed out at 35 mph shortly before 6 am. They have completely calmed now, an hour later. I pray that the containment lines at the Pfeiffer Fire held, and containment is still at 74% this morning. I will check in with others and report back what I discover.