USFS Press Releases

My failure to archive the original news release of the opening of the Los Padres National Forest on May 1, 2009, led to the creation of this new page to keep track of their press releases.
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Ventana Wilderness Re-Opens
Date: October 2, 2009
Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Ave. #150
Goleta, CA 93117
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Lynn Olson (831) 385-5434
Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745

Ventana Wilderness re-opened

KING CITY, CA… Effective immediately, areas of the Ventana Wilderness which have been closed to the public since the Indians and Basin Complex fires have now been re-opened. Escondido Campground however will remain closed until further notice.

When traveling through areas of the wilderness that were burned, the following hazards may be expected.

* Ash and needles on the trail which can make the trail slippery
* Burned out stump holes. This condition can make the ground weak and unstable and is a danger that is often unseen.
* Unstable dead trees and branches, which are especially dangerous during windy conditions.
* Rolling debris from loose rocks and logs.
* Flash flooding and mud flows. Conditions can change very quickly with winter rains.

Conditions in areas of the forest that have been burned, are constantly changing; PLEASE BE SAFE!

For more information regarding the fires and emergency closure, contact the Monterey Ranger District at: 831-385-5434, or on-line at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/
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PONDEROSA FIRE UPDATE
Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest
Monday, August 3, 10:00 AM

Information Center: 831-385-5434, ext. 277 Public Inquires, ext. 283 Media
(8am-8pm)

Fire Statistics

Acres burned: 350 ac.
Miles of fireline to build: 6 mi.
Date started: 8-1-2009
Percent contained: 0%
Expected containment: No estimate
Firefighter injuries to date: 2 Minor, Firefighters returned to duty
Structures threatened: 0
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $1,000,000 Firefighting Resources

Crews: 13
Engines: 19
Helicopters: 2
Air tankers: 9
Dozers: 4
Total personnel assigned: 429

Changes in statistics from previous update reflect current mapping and resource tracking.

Current Status: Good progress occurred last night on the Ponderosa Fire by firefighters. The fire remained active late into the night. By early morning, the marine layer had deepened allowing for good relative humidity recovery. Today’s goal is to take advantage of opportunities to take direct suppression action, however, the terrain is steep with dense fuels and firefighter safety is the number one priority.

Air tankers and helicopters will be available today to support the crews on the ground..

This area was partially burned in the 2008 Chalk Fire but there are still many areas that were left unburned with numerous snags.

Cause of the fires is yet to be determined.

Because of the potential for growth of the fire and firefighter safety, California Interagency Incident Management Team with Incident Commander James Smith, will be assumed management of the fire today at 0600.

Evacuations: Campers in the Ponderosa and Nacimiento Campgrounds were evacuated last night.

Highway, Road and Area Closures: Highway-1 is open. Nacimiento-Ferguson Road, as well as Los Burros/Willow Creek Road at Highway 1 are closed to the public, open to residents only.

Media: Media must be escorted through Ft. Hunter Liggett. Request for media access can be made by contacting the Information Center at 831-385-5434 x 283.
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Weather: Upper level low off the central California coast will keep the temperatures cooler than normal for tomorrow. Relative humidity will be in the 17-22%. Winds will continue to be light tomorrow. The fire is near the edge of the marine layer which will be around 2000 ft.

Agencies & Cooperators: Ft. Hunter Liggett, CalFire, CHP, CalTrans.
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Ponderosa Fire News Release, 8/2/09:

News Release
USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest
Monterey Ranger District

Date: August 2, 2009 Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Ave. #150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117
CONTACT: King City District Office (831) 385-5434 ww.r5.fs.fed.us/lospadres

Ponderosa Fire

Yesterday, Saturday, August 1, 2009 at about 7:00 PM a fire was reported near Ponderosa Campground south of the Nacimeinto-Ferguson Road, approximately 35 miles west of King City in the Los Padres National Forest.

The fire is approximately 200+ acres burning in steep terrain. There are currently 150 firefighters assigned to the fire with additional crews and engines enroute. Air Tankers and helicopters are providing air support to the crews on the ground. There is no containment.

The fire is moving in an east, northeast direction and is expected to grow in size during the day. Potential shifting winds may affect fire behavior. Where possible, crews are attacking the fire directly, however, the terrain is very steep, fuels are dense and firefighter safety is the number one priority.

A Forest Service Type II Team has been ordered because of the potential for the fire’s growth due to the anticipated wind and weather changes.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

District Ranger, Sherry Tune, stated, ” I appreciate the support of our cooperators including Fort Hunter Liggett, Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, CHP, CalTrans, CALFire, and local government fire resources.”

CLOSURES:
Los Burros/Willow Creek Road is closed at Highway 1 to the public, open to residents only.
Nacimiento-Ferguson Road is closed at Highway 1 and the Ft. Hunter Liggett-National Forest boundary.
Ponderosa and Nacimiento Campgrounds are closed.