Total Pageviews

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Latest on the King Fire. The smoke has arrived in Grass Valley and Nevada City (Cascade Shores) today. Not a good condition for tomorrow Triathalon. Over 80,000 acres involved

026_CalFire_McClellan_AAB_.jpg
Image Wes Schultz




King, Eldorado National Forest. Unified command between IMT 1 (Giachino) and Cal Fire IMT 1 (Smith). Eleven miles east of Placerville, CA. Timber and grass. Active fire behavior with uphill runs. Numerous residences and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, road and area closures in effect.

The first week of King Fire information has been archived and can be found here.

September 20, 2014 at 1:24 PM 

Camino Public Meeting: 7:00 PM. Seventh-day Adventist Church - 3520 Carson Road, Camino, CA 95709.

Garden Valley Public Meeting: Time TBD. Location: Golden Sierra High School - 5101 Garden Valley Road, Garden Valley, CA 95633.

September 20, 2014 at 1:18 PM 

Two firefighters have been injured after a 20 ft. fall. Helicopter medevac for one patient requested to the vicinity of Bridalvail campground.

September 20, 2014 at 1:15 PM 

Due to deteriorating visibility, all helicopters are leaving the French Meadows area. Visibility has been reduced to approx. 2 miles. The air tankers have already departed.

September 20, 2014 at 12:57 PM 

Air operations near French Meadows are hampered by smoke.

September 20, 2014 at 12:09 PM 

Total Fire Personnel: 4,901

Total Fire Engines: 379
Total Fire crews: 137
Total Helicopters: 21
Total Dozers: 77
Total Water Tenders: 78
Incident Management Team: 5

September 20, 2014 at 11:07 AM 

As of 11:00 am, no changes in evacuations. The evacuation center in Camino at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 3520 Carson Road, Camino remains open. 2,819 people remain evacuated.

airquality10000920.jpg
September 20, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Air quality in the Auburn area is in the Very Unhealthy range. Placerville, Grass Valley and Nevada City are in the Unhealthy range.

September 20, 2014 at 8:48 AM 

Fire activity today may be higher than yesterday, especially where the canyons and east winds come into alignment. There is a chance of thunderstorms in the evening that could cause erratic winds and extreme fire behavior.

Relative humidity recovery was poor across the northeast flank of the fire with readings of 30-40%. The best recovery was at the elevations in the southern portion of the fire. A thermal belt kept the humidity low above 3,000 feet. Today ESE winds of 10-15 mph with gust of 25-30 in the morning. The winds are predicted to transition to the SW late in the day with a slight chance of rain and possible thunderstorms in the evening.

September 20, 2014 at 8:40 AM 
The fire has crossed into Placer County and is approaching the Tahoe National Forest boundary. The fire burned actively throughout the night and a spot fire on the north end of the fire by French Meadows Reservoir has grown to about 500 acres.

King_CAENF0920.jpg
Incident map for September 20, 2014.
September 20, 2014 at 8:09 AM 

Monday, September 15, 2014

FIREWISE COMMUNITY

OK, I'LL TELL YOU NOW.  READ BELOW.
By: Joanne Drummond, Executive Director, Fire Safe Council of Nevada County
csgroup.jpg
Cascade Shores Firewise Community committee members (left to right) Carol Carter, Terry Athanasopulos, Kent Rees, Joan Hardy and Jan Guevel at the site of a wildfire hazardous fuels reduction project implemented this spring.
NEVADA CITY, Calif September 5, 2014 - The community of Cascade Shores outside of Nevada City has achieved the Firewise Communities/USA® award from the National Fire Protection Association for their efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and landscape to wildfire.

The Firewise Communities/USA® program honors those who pro-actively address the wildfire hazard across the landscape. The process begins by forming a committee, completing a community wildfire hazard assessment, developing an action plan to implement recommendations, investing in fire prevention activities and hosting a community education event. Firewise Communities retain their certification by filing a report of ongoing activities on an annual basis.

"Going beyond the minimum requirements of defensible space as required by law will help our residents change fire behavior as it approaches their community. Working together, we are helping to protect the forest environment we treasure from catastrophic wildfire." said Firewise Committee Member, Joan Hardy. The Fire Safe Council aids communities in Nevada County in attaining the national Firewise Communities/USA® certification.

To learn more about Firewise Communities/USA® visit www.firewise.org, or the Cascade Shores Association visit www.cascadeshores.org or contact the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County at (530) 272-1122 or online at www.areyoufiresafe.com.


geez, they did not mention Josie the dog.  And she played a big part!


Helllllo. Anyone there?.

Whoa, I have not written since May 15h.. What's up with that?

So much happening around here.  First, NID is just about wrapping up the new water lines.  A few more hook ups (from main to homes) and that part is done.  Then roads will come in and resurface (aka chip and seal) everywhere.  Won't it be nice to have NO MORE DUST, and nice clean surface.  Terrible to have to rinse your car off every day in a drought year from the work.  However, so happy we have brand new water pipes throughout Cascade Shores.
************************************************
I had a visitor today.  A totally official looking guy came around to check the yard for fire hazards.  Got a good report other than the debris on my roof.  Who is willing to go up and blow off my very steep roof?  Used to have Joel, the roofer from across the street, but he moved. Anyway, make sure you tidy up so you get a good report card!
***********************************************
Scary stuff with a fire in Alta Sierra and Pollock Pines area of El Dorado county.  We are now in what, 5 months of no rain.  Not seeing much in the future either.  I still see cigg butts around on BQH Rd.  Can't believe anyone would throw a cig out the window around here.  Holding breath till the rain comes.  Let's be careful out there.  Alta Sierra lost 150 acres in the blink of an eye.  That would wipe us out!
*************************************************
The Family Picnic and Kayak Races were so fun in August at Lost Mine Lake.  There was still enough water in the lake for boats.  Surburban Propane provided burgers, hot dogs, drinks and chips. Residents brought desserts.  Larry Marvin and Doug Goff of the Board did such a great job organizing and making sure there was plenty of fun things to do.  Tunda Croquet was my fave.  They set up an IMPOSSIBLE course.  I brought my family that was visiting for a birthday, all 27 of them!  They were fed well and treated well, and I thank Surburban and the CSHA board members that made it all happen.
**************************************************
This Sunday is the annual Millar Triathalon.  So fun to be at the lake early with my cuppa java and watch the competition.  Please try and come and support this very worthy cause (pledges go to Womens Breast Imaging Center).
**************************************************
Lots of home getting sold around here!  The market may be getting soft, but you can't tell it here.  I know of at least 5 homes that sold in less than a month.  The one across from me (foreclosed) got about 10 lookers a day, and was in escrow about a week after being listed.  Nice to have new neighbors.  Hope they know I rescue little dogs.  I have a bit of a chihuahua farm these days (I'm legal!).
**************************************************
If you are looking to adopt a "best friend" and like the little ones, or a beautifully trained Pitty, please go to Scooterspals.org and take a look.  If you see one you like, call me at 530-265-8680.  I'd love to put one of these adorable little survivors in the care of a loving neighbor.  Maybe you've been thinking of fostering a small dog.  CALL ME!  I'll tell you what it's all about.
****************************************************
My favorite new restaurant:  Three Forks Bakery in Nevada City.  Great Pizza and desserts.  Good beer, excellent service and just a cool setting.  On Commercial St. by the old BofA parking lot.
*******************************************************
After alot of hard work by our CSHA Board and the residents of Cascade Shores, we are now approved as a FIRE WISE COMMUNITY.  Keep reading my blog, and I'll tell you what that means . . . . . . tomorrow.