Showing posts with label Lockheed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lockheed. Show all posts

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Lockheed Fire: weekend update

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It looks like the fire is almost entirely controlled. The latest CDF report estimates 98% containment, with 100% expected later today. The affected area is now over 7800 acres; although no homes were affected, at least 14 'outbuildings' such as seasonal cabins have been either damaged or`destroyed. The cost has exceeded $25 million, and 10 injuries are reported.

One thing that has been very different about the Lockheed Fire as compared to the Summit Fire of last year is the potential to affect vines. There aren't that many vineyards in the Bonny Doon area; the sandy soil and cool microclimate are considered less than ideal for grapes (though McHenry does very well there). The smoke and ash from the Summit Fire blew all over the south bay; we could smell the fires almost every day. Most days the smoke from the Lockheed fire seems to have blown to the west, toward the sea and thus away from the majority of vines.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Lockheed Fire Latest: Thursday

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The fire remains at 80% containment and has spread to 7,364 acres. Almost 2,000 personnel are still involved, and costs have topped $18m, with 8 injuries. The good news is that the threat to homes has been addressed and all evacuations and road closures have been lifted; residents with identification are being allowed to return. The CDF is still on target to have full containment by the weekend.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lockheed Fire: Tuesday Update

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CDF reports 80% containment. The affected area has increased by just over 100 acres. Almost all the evacuation restrictions have now been lifted, except for a handful of houses still under threat on Warnella Road. A sixth firefighter has been reported as injured. Costs have been estimated at around $15m. Still no information on the cause of the blaze.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Lockheed Fire: Monday update

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CDF now reports 65% containment. The damage has now passed the 7,000 acre mark and the costs have risen to just under $10m. A fifth injury has been reported.

The good news is that the evacuation order for Bonny Doon has been temporarily lifted and residents are being allowed to return, though it remains in place for Swanton.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Lockheed Fire: Sunday update

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The CDF is now reporting 50% containment on the Lockheed fire, with almost 7,000 acres destroyed. The weather conditions have improved, but it may be another week before the fire is fully contained. Estimated cost has exceeded $6 million.

Four firefighters have been reported as injured, but thankfully there have been no fatalities and no reports of houses being damaged. Linda McHenry reported that the fire is between 1 and 2 miles away from the vineyard; firefighters are concentrating their efforts to defend inhabited areas, and favourable winds are helping.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Lockheed Fire Update

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The fire department is reporting over 5,000 acres destroyed, with 15% containment.
Update: The figures have now been revised to 6800 acres, 30% containment.

There's a map showing the fire's perimeter created by the Santa Cruz Sentinel. It shows the perimeter as less than a mile from the McHenry Vineyard. Firefighters are working to protect the villages of Bonny Doon and Swanton; although evacuation orders are in place, many Bonny Doon residents are staying and trying to defend their properties.

Costs have risen to an estimated $2.6m and there are now over 1500 personnel on the scene. Still no injuries reported, but smoke and ash is reported up to 50 miles away, and the area in the south bay smells of smoke today. The cause of the fire is still unconfirmed.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Fire season again: Lockheed Fire

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Yes, it's fire season again. The Lockheed Fire is burning close to Bonny Doon, around 3 miles from last year's Martin fire. So far over 4,000 acres have been destroyed and a couple of buildings, but no homes yet. Around 2,000 people have been evacuate. There are news reports on the web sites of local TV stations such as KTVU and there's more information on the CDF web site and on the CalFire blog. It doesn't look like any wineries or vineyards are in the area; the closest appears to be McHenry, which lies to the south.

Update from Ryan Beauregard, in Bonny Doon: The winds have just picked up, and it is all blowing right towards me and Bacchus at the lost weekend, we will be leaving shortly... Helicopters are circling, fire bombers are going by. It is very surreal. At a moments notice, me and Bacchus can be told to leave. Then, we can only hope that the sprinklers on the roof can do something to help. Or, the 20,000 gallons of stored water can come in handy for the firemen. Even though I have put our roughly 10,000 gallons of water through the seven sprinklers, I still know it will do nothing to help. As of now, we will be closed for an estimated four days.