Final acreage, 167 acres.
4:00 pm – 50 acres.
3:00 pm – 15 acres, one structure threatened.
AA requesting two air additional tankers. Potential for 100 acres unless it jumps Bitterwater Road, then potential for 500 – 600 acres. 2 dozers, 2 airtankers, 6 Type 3 Engines, 4 crewsalready on scene.
This is all according to Wildland fire. This is a a SLO Cal Fire show, but USFS is sending a helicopter to assist.
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.
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.
6:00 pm update- all units released but one engine.
5:00 pm- A friend just sent me this for a fire at Jolon and 101. The good thing is, this will be easy to get to, so should have it out in no time. But it is a good reminder that it is incredibly hot, incredibly dry, and incredibly fire-prone!
“Hey kate ….just heard a dispatch for mutual aid to monterey cnty for a veg fire….A/A340, T74 an 75, 3462, 3482, 3472, D3441….”
A/a is air attack; T is Tanker; 34xx are engines; and D is dozer.
The National Weather Service predicts isolated thunderstorms are expected Saturday, from the late morning through the afternoon hours over the higher terrain mountain locations of Southeastern Monterey and San Benito Counties. Severe weather or flash flooding is not expected and any rainfall amounts will be light. These storms will be capable of producing lightning strikes and contain a threat of dry lightning which will increase the wildfire risk and pose a threat to any back-country travelers on the ridge tops. IMPACTS TO SOUTHEAST MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES HIGHER ELEVATIONS (2500 FT+)
Thunderstorms will contain occasional cloud to ground lightning strikes in the absence of rain which will produce elevated wildfire conditions. Deadly strikes will pose a threat to any back-country travelers in the higher terrain on ridge tops.
I’m southwest, so no lightning, right? Will keep you posted, as necessary, and be on lookout duty for the day.
8:00 pm – About 3:00, one of my sources reported a vehicle into vegetation fire at Lake Nacimiento. I had company, so just now catching up. I can see the smoke from here. 4 tankers flying it, and many engines and crew on scene. CHP has Nacimiento lake drive closed from chimmey rock road to heritage ranch…..no word on acres or containment yet.
There is significant smoke to the south east of me.
3:15 update- sent one WT home, another on scene. Dozer working it, as well as crews, engines, and air resources. Unless the wind picks up, should be able to pick this one up this afternoon, so unless something breaks, I won’t be posting any more updates.
2:30 pm -Just got word that there is a wildfire at Cayucos Creek Rd and Thunder Canyon Rd. two air tankers out of Paso and one helio are making drops. Currently 5-10 acres with a moderate rate of spread. Two engines and two Cuesta crews on scene. Only access is jeep road, I am told. Info sketchy so far.
10:00 pm update- marine lawyer has been heading inland and it is friggin COLD up here, (i consider the current 56 degrees in the middle of July COLD!)and I hear the marine layer is assisting firefighting efforts. Good news for ff on the line. CHP have reopened highway 58 to traffic (it has been closed for most of the day) and fire conditions are no longer a concern tonight. I’ll check on things in the am, but for now, I am calling it a night on this fire.
6:00 pm update- VLAT order filed, so Very Large Air Tanker on way to make a couple drops before nightfall. Due t arrive around 6:40 pm. Fire crossed Parkhill Rd. heading to ridge top. Fire 750 acres with 0% containment. Also has AT 74,76, 80, 81, and 83 on it, as well as copters 523 and 527, acceding to my source near Paso airport and KSBY in SLO. Mandatory evacuations on Parkhill Rd ordered. LPNF sent the following:
BC 31, 32,33, Crew 3, dozen 3, eng 15, E 16, both 4×4, E31, 4×4, E 37,41, 43, 47, 4×4, 801, helo 528, etc.
4:00 pm – Wildfire just east of Santa Margarita at 58 and Pozo. Cal Fire reporting 500 acres and 0% containment. At least two strike teams called out. I am in town on iPhone so will update when I get to River inn, in about 1 and 1/2 hours and can get on my iPad. I also have photos of the rock shed to put up tomorrow, update on BSMAAC meeting Friday, as well as other reports on new BLM leases in Lockwood, Jolon area for gas oil development, possibly fracking. It will be a busy blog week.
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 … 😉
Sat. Update – no plumes, and no wind to speak of. That is a good thing.
For DAYS we have had lots of smoke, due to a controlled burn in Stoney Valley. Finally, it is being reported as a wildfire. WildCAD-LPNF reported a dispatch of BC 12 and Engines 15 and 16 at 1747 hours. It is in the Hay Camp area. I will be following this, of course. The good news is there is no column I can see.
