4:30 pm – fire was about a mile north of Ragged Point. They are in mop-up, now.
4:15 pm – just got word that there was a dispatch to a fire north of Ragged Point about 1/2 hour ago. Already air attack has been called off, and one Cuesta crew. One Cuesta fire remains on scene, as well as a couple LPNF Engines. Looks like they caught this early. I don’t have any more details, but will look around to see what I can pick up.
I may not have gotten shots of Endeavor, or the Thunderbirds, but Big Sur held still long enough for me to get a few shots yesterday.
Views like these just added to an already perfect day.
What an incredible day! I drove up the coast, stopping at every turn out from 9:45-11:00, chasing the endeavor. I didn’t see it, but I realized later, it passed directly over my house! That’s magic, whether I saw it or not.
NASA photograph
I had an appointment in Salinas. When I got there, I found out that the Thunderbirds were practicing for their weekend air show. I had at least a dozen near-misses with other cars and pedestrians, as I pulled over suddenly on streets in Salinas, trying to get the shot. I didn’t. But not because I didn’t try … And almost run up the sidewalk on a pedestrian on Sherwood – the old red-light district, and current homeless section.
Thunderbird media photo.
These planes travel at speeds over 400 mph, sometimes only 2 and 1/2 feet, yes FEET, apart. These Falcon F-16s sometimes reach 7 Gs. For the first time, there is a Mom on the team. She flew fighter planes in Iraq. She wanted to be a fighter pilot at the age of 13, when she first saw the Thunderbirds. Now she is one!
Then, top it off with the Fall Equinox, and official start of fall, and it was one of those days that make me so grateful to be who and where I am. Time to add water to my solar generator – 4 times a year … So equinoxes and solstices are obvious solution. This is the subject of a future blog post. I hope your days are full of magic, too!
At 5:30 am, WildCAD, LPNF reported a vegetation fire at our Big Sur State Park. Reported at only a 10th of an acre. Must be Labor Day weekend! Apparently, somehow, someone set a tree on fire.
Okay, people, let’s be super vigilant, this last weekend of Summer. Apparently we have to.
Wow, what a parade of beautiful cars I was treated to on my way to town today. The shoulders were crowded with cars, onlookers and more photographers than I have ever seen. They clung to hillsides, bridge trussels, laid down next the road way, and were in every possible position to grab that one-of-a-kind shot. I drove one handed and shot blind, which meant very few even depict a car, never mind a good photo of a car. I tried!
This morning, around 9:30 am, an illegal campfire was called in to LPNF, and Engine 17 responded. It was at the Chalk Peak primitive campground, per WildCAD-LPF. Considering it was already in the upper 80’s or low 90’s by then, this could only have been necessary to brew a cup of joe, in my opinion. What does it take for people to get that this is a completely unnecessary and dangerous risk? NO CAMPFIRES OUTSIDE DEVELOPED CAMPGROUNDS! Primitive is not developed. Just because you see a fire ring, doesn’t mean this is a “developed” campsite! People build them everywhere, and do not take them apart when they are finished or the season is over. The only developed campsites are Plaskett, Kirk Creek, Ponderosa, and Nacimiento down here on the South Coast of Big Sur. Campfires are also allowed at the Day Use areas of Mill Creek and Sand Dollar beach.
Today starts the grand prix at Laguna Seca, and the madness of motorcycles heading north on Highway One. Actually, it started yesterday, we noted. We went south Thursday, and noted the increase in motorcycles on the highway. Some of these riders seem to either have a death wish or a belief in their own immortality.
Be extra careful out there, as there will be crashes and craziness all weekend. Some of the fastest and best riders on a professional course will be at Laguna Seca, but some candidates for the Darwin Award will be on our highways.
A fire called in just after noon, was in mop up by 12:30 pm, thanks to the quick response of our local BSVFB. If you want to support the community that supports you when you vacation here, make a donation through PayPal here:
BSVFB
Martha and crew, you are the best!
I have a series of photos taken over the past two weeks that shows the project. I thought my readers would be interested to see what has been going on.
This one was taken just before last week’s overnight closure. One can see the Rebar topping the shed in preparation for adding the roof.
Monday, July 9, 2012, I had the “pleasure” of driving between the rock shed and the mountain. That was an experience! This photo and the next two will give you a feel for that. I had to take these photos AS I WAS DRIVING with my iPhone, so excuse the quality. You get the idea.
Then, yesterday, Monday, July 16, 2012, I got to drive under the new shed. These photos depict that experience. Again, I was multi-tasking – taking photos while driving. This time with my Nikon.
And there you have it! You have now “driven” thru what is sure to become a world-famous rock shed via the miracle of cyberspace! Quite a feat. It is scheduled to be completed by Spring of 2013.
Date: July 3, 2012 Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Ave. #150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117
CONTACT: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759 http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf
Fire Restrictions in Los Padres Take Effect July 3
GOLETA, CA…In response to the increasing potential for a wildland fire start, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Level 2 fire restrictions will be implemented throughout the forest beginning July 3, 2012. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials and internal combustion engines, and will remain in effect until the end of fire season in late autumn.
Beginning July 3, 2012, the following restrictions will be in effect:
· No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (LIST ATTACHED), even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office). Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times during use.
· Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
· Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.
“The moisture levels are at a critical threshold. Combine that with warm temperatures and high winds and we all the ingredients for fire starts,” Los Padres Forest Fire Management Officer Anthony Escobar said. “The most important thing is for forest visitors to be vigilant when conditions are bone-dry like this.”
For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf or contact the Forest Service district office nearest you.
