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U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region
Los Padres National Forest
6750 Navigator Way
Goleta, CA 93117

News Release
For Immediate Release
November 30, 2018
Media Contact: Andrew Madsen
(805) 961-5759
andrewmadsen
www.facebook.com/lpnf
Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Los Padres signs Big Sur Community Fuelbreak Record of Decision

GOLETA, Calif.— Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Kevin Elliott signed a Record of Decision on Nov. 13 for the Strategic Community Fuelbreak Improvement project Environmental Impact Statement. The project is on the Monterey Ranger District near the communities of Big Sur, Palo Colorado, Cachagua, and Jamesburg.

The purpose of the Strategic Community Fuelbreak Improvement project is to re-establish and maintain a series of fuelbreaks to enhance protection for at-risk communities and firefighting resources, preserve wilderness character, and reduce suppression costs. These historically-used and effective strategic fuelbreaks extend in and out of the Ventana Wilderness.

This project is a result of collaborative engagement at the community level and will improve effectiveness and efficiency in protecting communities from wildfire. The project will also minimize future impacts to wilderness. Wilderness character is diminished when fuelbreaks are re-opened by bulldozers during emergency suppression of wildfires. By proactively designing and establishing strategic fuelbreaks during a non-emergency environment, the Forest Service can reduce the reliance on mechanized equipment and subsequently reduce the adverse fire suppression impacts on the wilderness landscape.

A notice of intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2012. Public scoping and an “analysis of comments” was completed. A Draft EIS was then prepared and scoped for public comment in January 2017 and two public open houses were held in February 2017.

Work on this project will begin next year.

For more information, please contact District Ranger Tim Short at (831) 385-5434 or at tshort or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=40713

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CALTRANS
Today’s Date: November 30, 2018

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

-UPDATE #2-

**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS RE-OPENS TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK AND PAUL’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY —After two days of significant storm activity, Caltrans’ Geotechnical Design, Construction and Maintenance staff investigated site conditions this morning. Although crews are still working, the plan is to reopen the road in the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area by 12 noon today, Friday, Nov. 30.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units will continue to be on call and prepared to inspect/clean up during the daylight hours following each storm when it is safe to be onsite again. Caltrans’ intent is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

Reminder: When significant storms are forecasted by NOAA, the continuing protocol will be to send a 48-hour traffic advisory for the public to be ready in case the roadway needs to close due to an expected significant storm. This will allow time for the public to prepare for the closure, stock up on necessary supplies and make plans. At the 24-hour mark, we will send a traffic advisory either confirming the full closure or providing additional information. These 48 and 24-hour notices apply only to Paul’s Slide and Mud Creek—each closure will be treated separately (two separate closures, one may open, the other may not, depending on assessment).

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Today’s Date: November 29, 2018

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

-UPDATE #1-

**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK AND PAUL’S SLIDE CONTINUES THROUGH TOMORROW MORNING, FRIDAY, NOV. 30 WHEN IT WILL BE ASSESSED

MONTEREY COUNTY — The National Weather Service (NOAA) has informed Caltrans of more significant rain forecast for today and into tonight. Caltrans has determined that tomorrow morning, Nov. 30, will be the first time it will be safe for Geotechnical Design, Construction and Maintenance staff to investigate site conditions and formulate a plan to reopen the road in the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (PM 18.9) is the alternate route to reach Hwy. 1 between Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide. However, there is a 12-foot height restriction at one of the bridges (green) along this route. Please check with Fort Hunter-Liggett for more updated information on their road at: https://www.facebook.com/FortHunterLiggett.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up during the daylight hours following each storm when it is safe to be onsite again; this will take place tomorrow morning, Friday, Nov. 30. Caltrans’ intent is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: This advisory applies only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately—both are closing today. Please stay tuned for additional information when the roadway opens again. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

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Photos of Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) from mid-morning today, Thursday, Nov. 29th.

Route001_GateClosures_20181127.pdf

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Hello Big Sur!

The 80+ voice Wholehearted Chorus has prepared another uplifting evening of song to share with our Big Sur community. Come out for a potent and wonderful night this Friday. The choir has grown so large, this will likely be the last one at the Grange featuring the full chorus with the kids choir… Don’t miss this very special evening!

Lisa G’s inspiring tribe from Big Sur and Monterey share their fall concert this Friday, November 30th at 7pm at the Big Sur Grange. The same concert will also be presented on Sunday, December 2nd at 6pm at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley. Advance tickets are required there, and are nearly sold out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wholehearted-chorus-fall-concert-fly-like-an-eagle-tickets-52202550233?aff=efbevent

Tickets at the Grange this Friday are $10 cash at the door, kids 12 and under are free. Doors open at 6:30pm and early arrival is suggested. Bring cash for a wonderful bake sale supporting the Big Sur Health Center.

The theme for this fall concert, “Fly Like An Eagle,” represents a dream – a new paradigm – where our human, American voices are used for love, inclusiveness, mutual support, unity and joy. These are not your average choir concerts… they are relaxed, conversational and a lot of fun. You will be invited to sing along, sharing songs learned by heart, direct from the heart. Hope to see you there!

http://wholeheartedchorus.org

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Today’s Date: November 28, 2018

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from the National Weather Service (NOAA) that a significant storm has reached the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area and will close Highway 1 at Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 12 noon until further notice.

The closure initiation process will begin at 10 am with Electronic Message Signs activated and both sets of gates (Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide) closed by noon. Storm activity is forecast through tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 29.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. (PM 18.9) is the alternate route to reach Hwy. 1 between Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide. However, there is a 12-foot height restriction at one of the bridges along this route. Please feel free to check with Fort Hunter-Liggett for more updated information on their road at: https://www.facebook.com/FortHunterLiggett.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when the storm ends during the daylight hours and it is safe to be onsite again—we anticipate this to be Friday morning, Nov. 30. Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: This advisory applies only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately—both are closing today. Please stay tuned for additional information when the roadway opens again. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

# # #

Route001_GateClosures_20181127.pdf

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CALTRANS
Today’s Date: November 27, 2018

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**24-HOUR TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

OF TEMPORARY CLOSURE HIGHWAY 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

Monterey County — Caltrans has received confirmation from the National Weather Service (NOAA) that a significant storm is in the forecast to begin in approximately the next 24-hours for the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area.

This advisory is to inform the public to be prepared for closure of the roadway tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28 mid-morning due to a significant storm. A final notice will be sent when the roadway closes. Caltrans will have our Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units on call and prepared to inspect/clean up during daylight hours when the storm ends and it is safe to be onsite again.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed. No one, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees will be allowed access until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: These advisories apply only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately–both locations will close tomorrow, Nov. 28. Please stand by for additional information within the next 24 hours.

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CALTRANS
Today’s Date: November 26, 2018

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**48-HOUR TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

TENTATIVE TEMPORARY CLOSURE HIGHWAY 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

Monterey County — Caltrans has received notification from the National Weather Service (NOAA) that a significant storm is in the forecast for the next 48-hours for the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area.

This advisory is for the public to be ready in the event the roadway needs to close due to a predicted significant storm and allow time for the public to prepare for the closure including stocking up on necessary supplies and making plans.

NOTE: At the 24-hour mark, an updated traffic advisory will be sent, either confirming the full closure or providing additional information. These advisories apply only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately.

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Hello Big Sur!

Thursday, November 22, 2018
9:00 AM

Caltrans has cleared the rocks from the roadway and is reopening Highway 1 in Big Sur at 9:00 AM this morning.

Be safe, and have a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Regards,
Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Hello Big Sur!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018
5:55 PM

Caltrans is closing Highway 1 at 5:30 PM tonight overnight because of rocks falling on the roadway.

Highway 1 will be closed from Ragged Point (SLO 72.87) to Fullers PM Marker (MON 42) – just south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn.
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/mile_markers.html

Caltrans will re-assess the situation at first light and open the Highway as quickly as possible. Normally they run the rock plows through and open the highway. This should be a light rockfall with the first rain of the season, but stay tuned and be safe.

Please adjust your travel plans, be safe, and have a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Regards,
Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce

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Dear Friends,

As the Big Sur Fire Board of Directors has decided to implement their succession plan please join me in welcoming Deputy Chief Matt Harris when he assumes the position of Chief on January 1, 2019.

I have so appreciated all of your help, friendship and support over the years, in particular after the devastating Pfeiffer Fire.

I know you all will be equally supportive of Matt going forward and he will make an excellent Chief!

After 42 years in EMS, 14 with the American Red Cross Big Sur Ambulance and almost 28 with Big Sur Fire, wearing a pager and being on call 24/7, I will now see how “normal” people live. You may no longer even recognize me without driving my white Big Sur Fire truck, and yes Nadine, I will now wear another color besides blue!

Sincerely,

Martha Karstens
Chief