Share this:

.

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Alexa Bertola Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HIGHWAY 1 RETAINING WALL PROJECT “COASTLANDS I” CONVERTED TO 24/7 SIGNALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL MONTEREY COUNTY –A construction project to build a retaining wall and enhance drainage infrastructure on Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast continues with a shift to signalized traffic control. The project location is on Highway 1 at PM 44.5 at a location known as Coastlands. It is approximately one mile north of the Henry Miller Library and .8 miles south of the Big Sur Post Office. Since late July, one-way traffic control had been provided through flagging operations. Beginning this week, this project has shifted to 24/7 signalized traffic control. The southbound lane will be completely closed with movement channeled to the northbound lane. This will permit crews to operate safely behind barriers. Travelers can continue to expect delays of up to 10 minutes. Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the construction area. Travelers will also continue to encounter reduced speed limits on the approach to the project limits. Winter storms in the first quarter of 2019 caused a slip out below the southbound lanes of travel after which an emergency project secured the hillside. These repairs below the roadway, along with K-Rail placed on the southbound shoulder, have permitted the road to remain open until a permanent repair could be made. The current project involves construction of a soldier pile retaining wall, installation of guardrail, and additional enhancements to drainage infrastructure and landscaping, which will permanently restore the site. Travelers are reminded to be work zone alert and give themselves extra time for their commute along this scenic byway. The contractor for this $1.5 million project is FEC Future Contractors and Engineers Inc. of Irvine, CA. This project is scheduled to conclude in February 2023. Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at:https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

Halloween Tours at Point Sur Lightstation State Historic Park

Reservations:
October 22: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/point-sur-halloween-tours-tickets-417916047147
October 29: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/point-sur-halloween-tours-tickets-419346806587

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

.

Rangers Jaclyn, Lynn, and Colleen on patrol.

Would You Like To Be A Volunteer Wilderness Ranger? Do you love to hike in the woods, enjoy well-maintained trails and backcountry campsites, and get a boost from talking to people? If so, you might consider becoming a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger in the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness areas. What does a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger do? In the Big Sur backcountry, the Volunteer Wilderness Ranger program is a collaboration between the nonprofit Ventana Wilderness Alliance (VWA) and USDA Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest. The main job of a ranger is to educate backcountry visitors—on all manner of things. It is important for campers to know current fire restrictions, for example; to understand the proper etiquette of pooping in the woods (including knowing where established wilderness toilets can be found); and to be aware of such hazards as poison oak and ticks. Building rapport with hikers is fun and easy. Besides talking to hikers, rangers clear trash and abandoned gear from campsites. Fire rings are cleaned of ash and minimized at established camps, and removed from inappropriate sites. Wilderness toilets occasionally need to be re-dug. There is always trail work to do as well: sawing trees from the trail, cutting away encroaching brush, maintaining trail tread. Occasionally, rangers’ radio skills are called into play during helicopter rescues of injured hikers. Sounds pretty glamorous, right? Wearing the USFS uniform is an honor and a privilege. Truthfully, the public loves to encounter a ranger. As an added bonus, you will come to know and love your fellow rangers, currently 18 people from all walks of life and with a huge variety of interests. How do I apply? It’s easy to get started. Just know that potential rangers are interviewed in October and if selected must attend a two-day training November 5 – 6, 2022. From there, trainees embark on a one-year adventure learning the ropes together with experienced rangers. All you have to do is let the VWA central office know you are interested by emailing vwa@ventanawild.org. You will get a call from a ranger that will give you a rundown on what comes next. We look forward to meeting you!

Rangers refreshing their USFS radio skills at the annual VWR Summit. Our Contact Information Ventana Wilderness Alliance PO Box 506 Santa Cruz, CA 95061 831-423-3191

Stan Russell
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

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

Share this:

Contact: Amy Palkovic Environmental Scientist amy.palkovic (831) 384-7420 Release Date: September 12, 2022 PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED FOR ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARK Monterey, CA – If you see smoke over Big Sur this week, it is likely a prescribed burn being conducted by CAL FIRE and California State Parks at Andrew Molera State Park. Weather permitting, prescribed burning of approximately 88 acres is scheduled to begin on or around 9/14/22. The purpose of the project is to restore a healthy, resilient, fire- adapted ecosystem and to enhance native coastal prairie grasslands by reducing thatch and decreasing the number of woody shrubs growing in the grasslands. This burn will also enhance fire safety by removing heavy fuels. Fire is a natural part of the environment which helps achieve a diversity of plants and animals. In grassland ecosystems, fire also recycles nutrients, encourages reproduction, and enhances wildlife habitat. This operation follows a specialized burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for smoke dispersal. Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the conditions and weather. Prescribed fire smoke is generally less intense and of much shorter duration than smoke produced by wildland fires. Expect short delays along Highway 1 in the area of Andrew Molera State Park. Weather conditions will be monitored, and the burn may be postponed if burning conditions are found to be unfavorable. To be added to the San Benito Monterey Prescribed Burn Notification List, email BEU.ResourceManagement. For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. Who: CAL FIRE and California State Parks What: Prescribed Burn, 88 acres When: September 14, 2022 Where: Andrew Molera State Park (Monterey County) Download above press release here

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

Date: Friday, September 9, 2022 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Alexa Bertola Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HIGHWAY 1 ROCK SCALING AT HURRICANE POINT TO RESULT IN 20 MINUTE DELAYS NEXT WEEK MONTEREY COUNTY – A rock scaling operation on Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast will result in delays for travelers next week. Rock scaling on Highway 1 near Hurricane Point (PM 58) will result in intermittent delays in both directions of the highway of up to 20 minutes. These operations will take place on Tuesday Sept. 13, Wednesday Sept. 14, and Thursday Sept. 15, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. During these 20-minute closures, Caltrans crews, who will have rappelled down the hillside above the roadway, will dislodge debris and rock, and clean up the debris before reopening the roadway to travel. Rock scaling is performed as a preventative maintenance measure to help ensure the safety of travelers. Message and directional signs will be in place to alert travelers in the area. Please allow extra time during your commute through this section of scenic byway. For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, travelers may contact Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

.

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties Contact: Alexa Bertola or Jim Shivers Phone: (805) 549-3237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CALIFORNIA COAST ARTHRITIS BIKE CLASSIC TO MOVE THROUGH SANTA CRUZ, MONTEREY, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES NEXT WEEK CENTRAL COAST – The California Coast Arthritis Bike Classic will move through Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties next week using portions of the state highway system in the following locations during the daytime hours. Day 1, Saturday, September 10: Santa Francisco to Santa Cruz The cyclists will begin their 8-day ride in San Francisco and will use Highway 1 through Davenport before reaching the City of Santa Cruz. Day 2, Sunday, September 11: Santa Cruz to Monterey The cyclists leave Santa Cruz and will use portions of Highway 1 before arriving in Monterey. Day 3, Monday, September 12: Monterey to Big Sur The cyclists will head south from Santa Cruz and will use Highway 1 arriving in Big Sur. Day 4, Tuesday, September 13: Big Sur to Cambria The cyclists will travel south through Big Sur along Highway 1 passing Ragged Point and San Simeon before reaching Cambria. Day 5, Wednesday, September 14: Cambria to Oceano The cyclists will travel along Highway 1 through Cayucos and Morro Bay and Pismo Beach before arriving in Oceano. Day 6, Thursday, September 15: Oceano to Buellton The cyclists will continue their ride along Highway 1 before traveling along Highway 166 West. The riders will return to Highway 1 before crossing over US 101 in Orcutt. They will also cross Highway 154 in Los Olivos before riding along Ballard Canyon Road to Highway 246 before ending their day in Buellton. Day 7, Friday, September 16: Buellton to Ventura The riders will leave Solvang along Highway 246 before taking US 101 through Santa Barbara into Ventura. This 525-mile ride will end in Los Angeles on Saturday Sept. 17 CHP will be present to ensure the safety of cyclists and motorists. Electronic message signs will be activated to inform the public about the cyclists and support vehicles. The public may learn more about this event at: https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.event&eventid=1305 For traffic updates on other state highways on the Central Coast motorists can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5 ### Alexa Bertola Public Information Officer Caltrans District 5 50 Higuera Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Office: 805-549-3237 Cell: 805-556-5820 Twitter: @Alexa_Bertola

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

Illegal campfires will be assessed a $5,000 fine!

It appears that Big Sur will be experiencing extremely hot, dry and windy conditions into Tuesday of next week, coinciding with the end of summer, high visitation, Labor Day, 3 day weekend. It’s tank top weather at night on the South Coast Ridges yet some visitors think it is ok (despite ubiquitous signs and verbal warnings from nearby locals) to start a bonfire. Last night, CABS campfire patrol member Lindsay Romanow got into it with some folks who got belligerent when he asked them to fully extinguish their fire. This is not what should be happening on the public lands in Big Sur.

District Ranger Tim Short is aware and attempting to get a field presence up through the Los Burros, San Martin Top area but is challenged with too few available boots on the ground.

This notification is a request to those coming to visit Big Sur to refrain from any outdoor open flames of any kind. No campfires, No driving over dry grasses or low brush in search of a campsite, No kerosene lanterns that can tip over in the wind, No cigarettes or pipes, tobacco or otherwise.

This notification is also meant to heighten the senses of those of us that live and work in Big Sur. If you see something requiring immediate action to prevent a wildfire, call 911 and explain the situation to the dispatcher. He or she will get the proper available response mobilized.

Have a safe weekend,
Community Association of Big Sur

FOREST ORDER NO. 05-07-00-22-08
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
DOWNLOAD FOREST ORDER PDF

Stan Russell
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

Share this:

.

Stan Russell
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