September 30, 2008
Chalk Peak Fire, South Big Sur Community Response
Big Sur Kate continues to report on the Chalk Fire. She is on top of the fire (literally) and her coverage is providing vital information for her community.
This is real life stuff folks, read it here!
Note too how the affected residents are using gel to protect homes and out buildings.
Update: 9/30/08 8:00pm
The Chalk Peak Fire has consumed nearly 2,000 acres with minimal containment after four days of active burning. The fire is in an area that has not been burned in more than a generation. I can't any fire history for this particular spot. The Indians Fire and Basin Complex south perimeters will stop any movement to the N/E and N/W. Prevailing winds should keep the fire from touching Highway 1 on the West.
There is a full contingent, that is a full dispatch to this incident and the weather should be moderating soon. My thoughts are with my friend Kate and her community. They have been through enough this fire season.
Update: 10/1,
The good news is showers are predicted Saturday!
The image above from GeoMAC was captured at 9:00 pm 10/1, with a north perspective. The Google Earth image below is a view looking east.
Update: 10/2 Chalk Peak Fire view from Nepenthe Webcam looking South. The Chalk Peak Fire has now burned over 9,000 acres, with over 1,440 firefighters on scene. The fire is 20% contained and rain is expected within the next 36 hours.
Update: 10/3 The Chalk Peak Fire looks to have made a break south outside the break lines of Divisions B and C. Earlier today Big Sur Kate referenced on her blog (links above) that earlier in the morning fire resources hurried past her place (south of the fire).
Have a look at the GeoMAC below. Keep in mind GeoMAC is merely a gauge and not truly representative of action on the fire ground.
Rain is much needed to halt the progression of this fire.
This is real life stuff folks, read it here!
Note too how the affected residents are using gel to protect homes and out buildings.
Update: 9/30/08 8:00pm
The Chalk Peak Fire has consumed nearly 2,000 acres with minimal containment after four days of active burning. The fire is in an area that has not been burned in more than a generation. I can't any fire history for this particular spot. The Indians Fire and Basin Complex south perimeters will stop any movement to the N/E and N/W. Prevailing winds should keep the fire from touching Highway 1 on the West.
There is a full contingent, that is a full dispatch to this incident and the weather should be moderating soon. My thoughts are with my friend Kate and her community. They have been through enough this fire season.Update: 10/1,
5,050 Acres, 1,400 Fire Personnel, 13% Containment
GeoMAC shows the Chalk Peak Fire ran to the coast. I would have bet against that happening considering the winds from the West and N/W last night and today. It looks like the fire followed the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road to Highway 1. If so it will try to run south and east. That may account for why the heavy air tankers where painting stripes above the highway yesterday. Big Sur Kate has some outstanding images of the tankers working here.The good news is showers are predicted Saturday!
The image above from GeoMAC was captured at 9:00 pm 10/1, with a north perspective. The Google Earth image below is a view looking east.
Update: 10/2 Chalk Peak Fire view from Nepenthe Webcam looking South. The Chalk Peak Fire has now burned over 9,000 acres, with over 1,440 firefighters on scene. The fire is 20% contained and rain is expected within the next 36 hours.
Update: 10/3 The Chalk Peak Fire looks to have made a break south outside the break lines of Divisions B and C. Earlier today Big Sur Kate referenced on her blog (links above) that earlier in the morning fire resources hurried past her place (south of the fire).
Have a look at the GeoMAC below. Keep in mind GeoMAC is merely a gauge and not truly representative of action on the fire ground.
Rain is much needed to halt the progression of this fire.
Labels: Big Sur, Chalk Peak Fire
Comments:
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What I noticed was that some citizen's are staying and fighting fire and mostly preparing to save the homes.
I really believe this is going to be a growing trend and I back it fully.
With some training, PPE, tools, etc it can be the difference between a home lost and a home saved and even a fire stopped or firefighters able to concentrate on holding the line on another flank and saving more homes...
The public and powers to be will have to accept that a few civilians will die though just as firefighters die. And laws need to be changed so that Law Enforcement cannot "starve them out" so to speak with road blocks.
It might even be prudent and money saving for local government to supply the training and emergency supplies to the citizens ahead of time?
Final thought: Is taking refuge in a properly prepared home as the fire passes and then extinguishing the small fires and embers saving the home more dangerous than driving down the mountain during an wildfire evacuation?.
- Editor California Fire News
I really believe this is going to be a growing trend and I back it fully.
With some training, PPE, tools, etc it can be the difference between a home lost and a home saved and even a fire stopped or firefighters able to concentrate on holding the line on another flank and saving more homes...
The public and powers to be will have to accept that a few civilians will die though just as firefighters die. And laws need to be changed so that Law Enforcement cannot "starve them out" so to speak with road blocks.
It might even be prudent and money saving for local government to supply the training and emergency supplies to the citizens ahead of time?
Final thought: Is taking refuge in a properly prepared home as the fire passes and then extinguishing the small fires and embers saving the home more dangerous than driving down the mountain during an wildfire evacuation?.
- Editor California Fire News
Thanks for the comment Bob. After the debacle of Partington Ridge, Apple Pie Ridge and more notably Tassajara during the Basin Complex it is obvious homeowners that are prepared and able will have to stay if they want their properties saved.
I agree with you that investing money to train rural homeowners in fire safety and fire fighting should be considered.
I would encourage homeowners in rural areas to keep Gel on hand as well as emergency water and a generator. Also, have the fellas at your local fire station inspect your property.
It is true as you suggest that more people have died fleeing on roads running from fire than have died in structures.
The Cedar Fire backs this up.
Food for thought on this subject.
** It would be irresponsible for me to endorse or encourage untrained and unprepared homeowners to stay in the face of an approaching fire.
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I agree with you that investing money to train rural homeowners in fire safety and fire fighting should be considered.
I would encourage homeowners in rural areas to keep Gel on hand as well as emergency water and a generator. Also, have the fellas at your local fire station inspect your property.
It is true as you suggest that more people have died fleeing on roads running from fire than have died in structures.
The Cedar Fire backs this up.
Food for thought on this subject.
** It would be irresponsible for me to endorse or encourage untrained and unprepared homeowners to stay in the face of an approaching fire.
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