Red Flag Warning extended:
@NWSBayArea: #redflagwarning just updated for #monterey and #sanbenio counties to continue through 5 am Tues. http://t.co/2ZdDI37CQv
Thanks to my son for finding this for me. Nice graphic. Midnight to 3am is the specific time.
Drove by the strangest sight, so turned around for photos. When I got in cell phone range, I reported it. Just as I was pulling into River Inn for Mother’s Day music on the river, I saw the CHP going south with lights.
I can’t tell what they were burning, but it ain’t wood. Looked like a backpack, luggage, or some weird thing. Very odd. They didn’t even look up from the fire when I pulled in, either.
It isn’t too early to put this on your to-do list. I actually started today. Two wonderful men who helped last year, are here again this weekend, helping to make my place safer for me, my critters, and the firefighters who will come, if needed.
This year, a burn permit is required, for getting rid of those burn piles, and I have a few. One can apply for this permit online, or stop by the station house to pick one up. Once that is done, one still needs to call to find out whether it is a permissive burn day, or not, and then notify the BSFVB of the burn, as well as your neighbors, so that everyone is aware.
Our lack of real rain so far this season has heightened the danger we all face. It has been 5 years since we had a significant fire. Make sure you are prepared. Have a plan in place to stay or flee. Have a plan for your critters and important papers, photos, etc. One plan, is to make sure your home is prepared to withstand whatever comes your way.
I’ll have more on this in the upcoming weeks, but for now … START PLANNING!
IMPORTANT: Backyard burn permits are required for this burn season. Burning is allowed ONLY on Permissive Burn Days. The Permit holder MUST call 1-800-225-2876, or visit the Air Resources Board to find out if it is a permissive burn day.
Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade coverage area
Residential Burn Permits
Beginning with the “Backyard Burn” season starting on December 1, 2012 as regulated by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade now requires a permit for burning yard trimmings on residential property within the response area of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade. Burning on residential property requires a permit from either the local fire department or the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District. In order to properly manage and monitor residential burning within the Big Sur community at the local level, burn permits are now required from the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Permits for burning on residential property within the response area of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade are valid for the entire burn season which begins on December 1st of each year and ends on April 30th of the following year. Each new burn season requires a new burn permit. There is no fee for the burn permit. Burn Permits may be obtained at our web site or by calling the Brigade at 831-667-2113 or email to bigsurfire@gmail.com.
The Residential Burn Permit is for burning yard trimmings only on residential property in accordance with the terms and conditions as outlined in the burn permit. Any violations of the terms and conditions of the permit may be cause for the permit being revoked. A burn permit for recreational fires or barbeques is not required. Information on “backyard burning” can be found at the MBUAPCD website at: http://www.mbuapcd.org by clicking on the “Burn Permits” tab.
All data collected stays with the local Brigade and is used to know where burns take place in case of smoke reports.
Mid-Coast Fire Brigade coverage area
Permits Now Required For Backyard Burn Season – Free From Fire Brigade
Burn season will begin December 1st, 2012 and there is a major change, The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District is now requiring that those who burn in our area of responsibility obtain a free burn permit through the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade. Those without permits are subject to steep fines from the MBUAPCD.
Please understand that the Fire Brigade is in no way responsible for this new requirement. Apply Online For Backyard Burn Permit. For those without Internet access who wish to obtain a burn permit, please call the Fire Brigade at 831-625-8175. If you have questions, please email the Fire Brigade for more information. See burn guidelines at our web site: http://www.midcoastfirebrigade.org/.
Prescribed Burn Planned for Election Day. MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif.
These things always worry me
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. – If you see smoke rising around the Salinas Valley on election day, don’t worry! Cal Fire says it’s conducting a prescribed burn in the area of Old Stage Road at Crazy Horse Road.
The burn is approximately 1,000 acres of brush and grass that is part of a plan to reduce flammable vegetation and will be visible from the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula, Marina, North Monterey County, San Juan Bautista and Hollister Areas.
The burn is scheduled to begin around 10:00 a.m. and last until 5:00 Tuesday night with prime ignition planned between the hours of 12:00 and 3:00 p.m.
There will be 16 fire engines, 2 helicopters, 2 dozers, 4 hand crews and about 20 overhead personnel totaling roughly 150 personnel. Local Government cooperators include Carmel Highlands Fire Protection District, San Benito County Fire Department, Salinas City Fire Department, Monterey County Regional Fire District, Soledad Fire Department, Fort Hunter Ligget Fire Department and North Monterey County Fire Protection District.
CAL FIRE, along with the National Weather Service and Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District have worked cooperatively to plan this burn under the best weather conditions for this location.
At 4:30 last evening WildCAD, LPNF reported a “smoke check” called “lime” near the Hermitage and dispatched E16, 17, and 18. A local reported code three fire engines responding down Nacimiento around 5 pm, and a source in Paso reported A/A and tanker 74 responded at the same time. This am, the “smoke check” was reported as being one acre, and nothing visual this morning. I was on my way home from Cambria at the time, so unaware until i woke at 6:00. It happens. Had things to do off line when I got home. Sometimes, I have a life separate from my blog, not often, but sometimes … 😉
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.
3:20 pm – got confirmation that FHL is doing a controlled burn in Stoney Valley. Let us hope it doesn’t get away.
3:00 pm – can find nothing out. One source says he can see the drift to the east of him in Paso, but nothing is being reported anywhere that I have found. I’ll keep trying.
2:15 pm – The first thing one notices up here with a fire, is the change in the light. I noticed that this morning, so I was keeping an eye out … Then Boogie showed up, then Rock Knocker showed up, then Bill and Jane showed up. A whole week of visitors in just one day. Now that all are gone, I am seeing a lot of drift. WildCAD, LPNF is showing nothing, either is CHP. I am checking in with my sources, and will update when I have additional. It is definitely east, but can’t see any plumes. Will go to top of ridge in back for a better view if I can’t get anything and will update this post shortly.
Memorial Day weekend has begun. It is traditionally the start of our summer, but Mother Nature has her way with us once again. I am very glad that life got in the way of my planting my tomatoes.
Here it is only 6 pm, and it is only 40 degrees outside … Given that the sun is not even down, yet, freezing temps are possible tonight. Right now, I have built a fire in the wood stove, and am working on building it up to a rip-roaring one tonight. Tomatoes would not fare well tonight, and given the high winds, would have been dead come morning…so maybe next weekend? I guess I better concentrate on Early Girls this year!
Vegetation Fire near 101 and Perris Valley Rd. Mutual aid being sent with E3461, E7462, A/A, and T74. Notified by a retired fire capt living in Paso Robles. Up here, it is quite breezy. The Salinas Valley area is known for its afternoon winds. Will report more when I have more.
UPDATE: Contained at 2 acres.
