Skee Stanley, formerly of Cachagua Fire, sent me this interesting report on a fire on the edge of Southern Monterey County and Northern San Luis Obispo County back in 1960. Historical perspective is always fascinating to me, and I hope you will find it interesting. I thought this would be a nice time to take a break  from 44 days of reporting on Soberanes, which is over 95,000 acres at the moment. I’ll post my usual fire maps later today. Note the discussion at the end about the Public Information Officer for the Weferling Forest Fire. Thanks, Skee.

Okay, I admit…I took the day off. Two of my girlfriends were back in town, and I hadn’t seen one in a year and a half, another in over 6 months. I did my best to stay off line, and did a damn fine job … But now I have to catch up.

The USFS closed the forest down here, sometime between 3-6 pm. Despite the closure, I had to stop and ask one group to put out their camp fire. They were very cooperative. I had to stop and tell 3 other groups the forest was closed and suggested they drink all the beer they wanted tonight, forego coffee in the am, and leave as soon as they got up and packed. 

Here is the official notice:

Notice anything “odd” about the above map? This puts “Gorda” where Pacific Valley is – north of Plaskett Creek Campground. In reality, Gorda is 5 miles south of the campground.

I have to say, I am so happy to see that you kept up the information flow and posted comments, and information while I was gone today. I have been asked to be interviewed by a number of magazines and radio shows that express their awe of what this Big Sur Community is about. They get it. It is not me … It is us. We work together, we help each other, we keep one another informed. Bigsurkate is a community effort, and no one “gets that” more than I do. I feel so honored to be a part of this wonderful network. We are setting an example for  so many people, agencies, and organizations. I hope you are all proud of us. I am.

And here is an impressive plume from behind Partington, taken by Marcus Foster this afternoon:

John Chesnut’s Map:

And here are this morning’s maps. Here is the distance between the Chimney and Soberanes, now down to 37 miles. Chimney is 91% contained this am, however.

You can see the results of yesterday’s firing out operation past Michael’s Hill, as well as more growth to the south. On the east, a couple new spots toward Miller’s Canyon.

IR Topo Map in PDF

There doesn’t appear to be any change in the South Ops Map, and indeed it is left blank for the date, but I’ll include it anyway.

So Ops Map in PDF

And finally, here are the weather and fire behavior discussions:

9:30 am – Here is the most recent fire progression map:

Fire Progression Map in PDF

6:30 am – Here are today’s maps. You will note that the fire jumped the containment line at Cold Springs, north of Michael’s Hill, out near the end of Partington Road. My information is that that happened late yesterday afternoon, early evening. My understanding is that they will be hitting it hard from the air as soon as possible.

IR Topo Map in PDF

So Ops Map in PDF

Fire and Weater Prediction Discussions:

8:00 am – John Chesnut Map

7:00 am – Maps

IR Topo Map in PDF

So Ops Map in PDF

And here are the weather and fire predictions:

Noon: Here is the progression map from the inception until this morning’s mapping:

and for you purists, here is the link:Progressive Map link to PDG

John Chesnut maps:

7:45 am – Just in this report from Joelene who attended last night’s meeting at Cachagua Store:
“Howdy the briefing last evening was very informative. Many concerned residents from Tassajara showed up. The USFS is going to take over this fire Friday, but Cal Fire is here to stay as long as this fire is active. Operations will work on the bounds of fire lines. Strike teams are at structures in Miller Canyon and Pine Valley. Please know that while the USFS has a different approach or tactics, Cal Fire is here to stay and protect us. In order for them to help us we must help them. If you feel lack of communication is occurring, contact 8312040446. Or e mail soberanesfire2016@gmail.com if still no return response, keep trying. As their priority is lives first, structures are close behind. They work closer to the current fire breaks and as the fire moves closer, the crews move outward to structures and properties. Those who have yellow paper that says undefendable, please contact a Cal Fire official and ask them to reassess the place, especially if you have done more clearing work. They are not abandoning anyone. They need to be able to protect what is accessible. They need to be able to enter your property AND turn around, especially up Tassajara. Right now warning evacuation remains, and roads are open. You can come and go, with vigilance that this is apt to change suddenly. With all due respect, Cal Fire is working with the sheriff department on communications for a window advance notice of twelve hours of a hard or soft closure, IF back firing operations make the decision to back fire Henningson Ridge. It may not have to be done. With the good old fog walking in, the fire has been low and slow burning, making it easier for fire crews and personnel’s to work it…. Much to our long standing patience….. Cal Fire and all the fire technicians appreciate your patience and support. As much as you do, they want this fire to be beaten as soon as possible and it will come to pass. Just a bit longer. Please continue your wonderful support and patience.”

6:30 am – This is becoming surreal … Day 36. Five weeks, down – now starting the 6th week of monitoring this fire. Lots of fog on the coast, pretty thick, this am, with the smoke sitting on top of that. AND, it is amazingly cool, almost cold. At least I can see Cone Peak, this am.

First up – the IR Topo map and link:

Link to IR Topo Map in PDF

So Ops link to PDF Map

And here are the fire behavior and weather predictions. These come from much larger reports, so they are screen shots, and there are no direct links to these pages.

1 pm –

Pfeiffer Beach opened Monday, August 22, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park will open Thursday, August 25.

Here’s the rundown of State Park closures / expected reopenings:

• The West side of Garrapata has been open during the fire and remains open. East of the highway the park will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

• Point Sur Light Station SHP is scheduled to reopen this weekend with normal hours.

• Andrew Molera SP will remain in use as a Fire Camp for the foreseeable future.

• Pfeiffer Big Sur SP will remain closed at least through Sept 5th, perhaps longer because the fire has made the hillsides unstable. The Fire Camp is currently moving out, and Parks has begun necessary work to reopen. We have not set a date yet, and expect the work to take at least 2 to 3 weeks.
• Buzzards Roost trail opens Thursday, August 25.

• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is partially reopening Thursday the 25th, which will include the parking lot and trails west of Highway 1. The eastern trails will remain closed.
Partington Cove trail, located west of Highway 1, will also re-open.
From Rene Robles at Big Sur Lodge
The lodge is not open yet but I am opening only for reservations tomorrow with limited operations until further notice as Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is closed and also the trails surrounding Big Sur Lodge.

Regards,
Stan Russell

9:30 am –

8:00 am –

Soberanes Fire

DAILY UPDATE

Fire Information Phone (831)204-0446
soberanesfire2016@gmail.com
Media Line: (831)484-9647
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4888/
http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1348

Incident: The Soberanes Fire was started by an Illegal campfire on the morning of July 22, 2016, in the Garrapta State Park. The fire is burning in areas of previous large fires including the Basin Complex in 2008 and the Marble-Cone Fire in 1977.
Location: Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness, Monterey County, CA
Agency Jurisdiction: CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit/Los Padres National Forest

Current Size 90,062 (52,868 CA-LPF, 37,194 CAL FIRE,) Containment: 60% Cause: Illegal campfire
Injuries: 1 fatality, 4 injuries Structures Destroyed: 57 homes, 11 outbuildings Structures Threatened: 410
Current Resources: Crews: 16 Engines: 44 Helicopters: 12 Dozers: 18 Water Tenders: 42
Total Personnel: 1,494

Incident Command: Alaska Interagency Incident Command Team #1, Kurth, is preparing to take command of the incident from California Interagency Incident Command Team #3, von Tillow commanding.

Fire Restrictions: Forest Order 05-07-16-15 Fire Use Restrictions – Level IV Fire Restrictions. This Order is effective from August 23, 2016, through the end of the official 2016 fire season.

Community Meeting: A community meeting will be held at the Cachagua General Store, located at 18840 Cachagua Road, Carmel Valley, CA tonight, Thursday, August 25, 2016, at 6:00 P.M.

Current Situation: Fire activity in the interior increased yesterday due to higher temperatures and lower humidity producing visible smoke in the area. Fire movement around the perimeter continues to be slow with no threats to fire lines. Areas around and below Miller Mountain, Logwood ridge and Mount Olmstead continue to have fire movement. Crews continue to look for opportunities to construct direct fire line and preparing for future tactical firing operations. Structure protection continues to be evaluated and improved.

Shifting winds are expected today from the southwest bringing cooler, more humid air to the area. This will provide an opportunity for firefighters to continue constructing fire line and preparing structure defense. Aircraft will continue dropping water and fire retardant to reinforce containment lines. Crews will continue fire line repair work along northern Carmel zone.

Wilderness Tactics: To reduce the impacts associated with fire suppression activities in wilderness areas, fire managers and firefighting crews continue using Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics as much as possible. The steep, rugged terrain of the Ventana Wilderness is inherently treacherous to firefighters. Most direct fireline is being constructed near the perimeter in areas that have been pretreated and supported by aircraft. The inaccessibility into the Ventana Wilderness along much of the fire’s east side continually requires patience, and slow and steady hard work from the crews, as they look for options to construct direct line.

The fire was caused by an illegal, unattended campfire on the Soberanes Canyon trail in the Garrapata State Park. Anyone with information is asked to call the CAL FIRE Tip Line at: (800) 468-4408. Fire managers want to remind the public that human caused fires are preventable. Please be aware of current fire restrictions and be careful with anything that could spark a fire.

US Forest Service Road and Trail Closures: A forest closure order has been implemented to close the trails and roads within the Los Padres National Forest, Monterey Ranger District pursuant to USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a). The order prohibits going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Soberanes Fire area. For a complete list of closures please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf . The following sites are open: Pfeiffer Beach Day Use, Mill Creek Day Use, Willow Creek Day Use, Sand Dollar Day Use, Kirk Creek Campground, Nacimiento Campground, Ponderosa Campground and Plaskett Creek Campground.

California State Park Closures: All California State Parks from Garrapata State Park through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are closed until further notice; this includes Point Sur State Historic Park (Lighthouse), Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground and Day Use.

Evacuation Orders and Warnings: An evacuation ORDER remains in effect for Coast Ridge Rd. from mile marker 1.5 to Marble Peak at the end of the road. A WARNING remains for Tassajara Road from Carmel Valley Road to the Tassajara Hot Springs Zen Center. This area includes all roads that lead from the above described roads.

Donations: Local relief efforts to the fire victims have been provided by the Coast Property Owners Association (CPOA) and the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Donations can be made to the CPOA at Coast Property Owners Association, PO Box 59, Big Sur, CA 93920 or the Community Foundation for Monterey County, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940 (831)375-9712.

The Red Cross prepares for, responds to, and helps people recover from disasters big and small. To donate, people can visit redcross.org/donate/, call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. For any unmet disaster related needs, please call their 24 hour hotline at 1.866.272.2237.

Additional Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: California State Parks and Recreation, California Highway Patrol California Office of Emergency Services , California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, California National Guard, Big Sur Land Trust, California Department of Transportation, California National Guard, California Fish & Wildlife, Coast Property Owners Association (CPOA), Community Foundation for Monterey County, Bureau of Land Management, American Red Cross, County of Monterey, Pacific Gas and Electric, Carmel Highlands F.P.D., Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District, Mid Coast Volunteer Fire Brigade, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Cachagua Fire Protection District.

####

This is this morning’s IR Topo Map:

And here is the link to: IR Topo Map in PDF

Here is the IR Ortho Map:

And here is the link to: IR Ortho Map in PDF

For those of you missing the weather and fire prediction maps, like I was, I found them today and will include them each time I find them. The are included within a much larger document which can be found Here

And finally, here is the South Ops Map:

Here is the link to the So Ops Map in PDF