From the Basin Complex Fire command filed 6:00pm July 2:
“Fire has become very active on the northwestern and southern flanks. Fire has jumped the southern containment lines threatening the community of Lucia. Attempting to hold a secondary dozer line with limited resources. Structures, heavy fuel loads due to sudden oak death, threat to community of Big Sur and Carmel watershed basin. Active fire behavior on the southern end and north of Pfeiffer State Park is becoming a challenge to containment actions. East Zone: Numerous structures and improvements located in the proximity to Carmel Valley Road and Tassajara Road areas. Limited access. Extremely steep and rugged terrain with continuous heavy fuel loading. HEBM is needed for military assets.”
Here is the latest image from the Big Sur web cam at Nepenthe in the heart of Big Sur. I’m not seeing any flames or smoke coming from the south of the cliffs below. Keep an eye on this camera. Note too how they have not taken down the dead oak tree just off the deck. If the fire gets a chance is will use that kind of dead wood as kindling for the restaurant. Best wishes to the owners and firefighters tasked to this fire.
Update: I just spoke with one of the fine people at Nepenthe in Big Sur. Twenty four people are staying with the business, riding out the night watching the restaurant. According to the person I spoke with the fire is burning north of the restaurant, the camera points south.
All persons remaining in town after the evacuation notice have signed waivers. Their escape route is a hike down the canyon to the beach. Weather along Highway 1 is foggy with temps in the mid 50′s. This weather is a friend to firefighters.
The 80 engines assigned to the Basin Complex fire are fairly spread out performing structure protection in the canyons. Those engines tasked to patrol Highway 1 tonight will have a night to remember.
The last update from locals indicate the fire has not yet crossed the highway.
Update: 8:30 pm. The sun is shining early evening on Big Sur. As I mentioned above firefighters had weather on their side with fog and high humidity working with them against the fire. It’s eerie the fog lifted for the first time in quite a few days at the exact worst moment.
Nepenthe web cam image July 2, 8:15 pm local.
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Also on FirefighterBlog …
- Fire Monks, A Story of Fire, Bravery and Abandonment – July 6, 2011
