Below is a couple emails I've sent to another list, with a response. I've rearranged it to be a more linear read.
Rick, WA6NHC
Rick, WA6NHC
iPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)
Begin forwarded message:
On Sep 19, 2014, at 23:52, Rick WA6NHC <happymoosephoto@gmail.com> wrote:
I went to a town hall meeting tonight in Garden Valley, (Podunka-ville) to learn how the fire was going from the PIOs and because I'd never had the time to attend such a meeting. For such a rural area (even for here), I was surprised that the entire bleachers on one side of a gym, were packed. I didn't even know they had a high school.
The PIOs were not impressive, with their lack of knowledge of the area and one was a local !!! They also were not eloquent in the presentations, seeming unsure of their knowledge. The poor audio system made it hard to hear, almost no highs.
The fire's major leap (15 miles) on Wed night has stopped (weather) and the winds are shifting putting the fire back onto itself; mostly but not in all places, it can run West now (Foresthill, Auburn). The terrain will make this complex to guess where and how far. Aircraft didn't make it in yesterday until after 3 because of lousy ceilings. Today I wasn't home that much, I didn't hear.
The good news for me is that I was able to see the actual map plot, with some control lines (simplified, sterilized for the masses). The fire has not progressed (yet) as I had been led to believe (and feared). It's not as far east as Ice House Road (which wouldn't hold). There is hope that some of the area will survive, just close your eyes on the way in/out so you don't see the devastation. But Bridal Veil area on 50 is pretty messed up.
Stumpy Meadow is known to be burned to the boat ramp. I heard it jumped the reservoir, but I didn't take the time to verify tonight. The North end of the fire is ~Hell Hole Reservoir and French Meadow Reservoir. There are crews, engines and soon a 'spike' camp (they'll camp there for a few days instead of going to basecamp) there to protect structures, cut line and do some burning out. With the wind shift and some good air cover, it's possible it can be at least diverted there if not stopping the northward progression.
The fire moved so quickly, that it made incomplete burning; leaving some 'islands', trees and canyons bottoms with still live vegetation. This isn't always good news if what's left is non-native or not the original forest species type (cedar instead of ponderosa etc.). I'll let the eggheads figure that one out; sometimes it's best to burn the islands as well as the edges of the line to make it 'cleaner' and easier to maintain.
Lastly, here is the map they handed out (valid from this morning, invalid now, not as thorough as the posted map). I wouldn't suggest going up here, the air is pretty bad (rats it WAS going into Reno). But being the generous folks we are, we'll let it go down valley, over to the Bay Area and up valley too (though they've had plenty).
Rick wa6nhc
On Sep 20, 2014, at 7:15 AM, 'Someone' wrote:We watched this fire begin from our perch on Blue Mtn last weekend never expecting it to reach epic proportions. We're not able to open windows here in Arnold due to the smoke so we're using A/C more than normal.The suspected arsonist was arraigned yesterday and is being held in leu of $1x10^7 bail. Haven't heard anything about why they think it was him, or how he did it. This should have been disclosed at the arraignment but the NEWS hasn't reported it.CalFire sent 7 engines up to the Blue Mtn Lookout last night (over an hour drive from the nearest station on logging roads) for a vegetation fire and held it to 3 acres much to the relief of us locals. No word yet on the cause, it was behind locked gates and no one lives up there.
The news hasn't reported the details because the Sheriff hasn't released the information since the investigation is still ongoing. There is a special circumstances charge included because someone was injured (several in fact) and if there are more than five houses damaged (destroyed is more likely), there will be additional special circumstances. If someone dies from this fire, he'll be charged with first degree murder by arson, a capital charge.At least 4 homes are already known to be gone... just gone. Not even the bricks are salvageable. More losses will be made public as the assessment team progresses into the fire. It was only safe enough to start yesterday afternoon. Homeowners are told first (unless the news teams beat them to it, since they by law, have full scene access).This person won't see the light of day as a free man for a very long time. The amount of bail set was to ensure that he wasn't bailed (requires $1M cash up front in bond) and if he is smart (he's not, his record proves that out) he won't show his face in this county EVER again. There are plenty of deserted empty mine shafts, folks here have rope and there is huge anger as you can imagine. Not just homeowners displaced, but also the recreational crowd and those numbers are immense. It would be best if he simply disappeared (the intent for some of the locals too, but in a less pleasant way).The cost of the fire is around $5M/day and the cost of the retardant alone (used in record amounts, some 500,000 gallons so far) is over $1M. He'll owe the state for that. In short, he's done.The EDSO collected the evidence (with CalFire). That was taken to the DA, who went before the judge. The judge reviewed the evidence and found cause to issue an arrest warrant (setting bail) directing the EDSO to arrest and contain this person. It sounds like all the dots connect and EDSO has a pretty good reputation. I talked with the Sheriff last night, but asking wasn't an appropriate question to ask in that arena.Yesterday he was arraigned (has to be within 72 hours of arrest, except in extenuating circumstances), then assigned a public defender attorney, who plead not guilty on his behalf. Trial starts next month. This allows completion of the investigation while he gets 3 hots and a cot (FAR more than he deserves).I'd imaging that rebuilding the homes will become an issue. Some of the lands are within the USFS boundaries making building difficult to impossible, even if the folks have a legal lease. The echoes will resonate for years.The fire in south Tahoe (Angora) was made extremely difficult to rebuild because of conflicting laws (clearances, no clearances). That has been resolved, but the Fed in general doesn't like ANY building on 'public' lands, even if there is a lease. Some of these homes in the Crystal Basin (farms, ranches too) have been here for a VERY long time.Uncle Tom's Cabin (a bar since 1864) survived because there was 20 or so engines (4 strike teams) defending it.
Rick, WA6NHCiPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)
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