Aliso and Woods Canyon Fire 6/2/2018

kioti said:
I don't know, mr. @DangerDirtyD! Here's info from the 2009 RMP on OC Parks website:
http://www.ocparks.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=22978

7.3.6 New Park Trails

Recommendations for new trails respond to recognized destinations, prominent view locations and desirable off-site destinations described above. In some instances, the existing trail network does not provide sufficient opportunities for loop trail experiences. In response, several of the recommendations below formalize an existing unauthorized trail in order to achieve needed loops and/or connections.

  1. Nestall Trail (Birthday Trail). Originating at the midpoint of Nestall Road, the Nestall Trail connects Nestall Road/Alta Laguna Boulevard at the Top of the World to the Dripping Cave Trail. This trail is extremely steep (elevation gain of 600 feet) and technical, crossing through the east facing hillside. Current conditions render uphill mountain biking very difficult and switchbacks would need to be added to protect native plants and enhance trail safety. In addition, authorization of this existing unauthorized trail would require signing and maintenance along most of its 1.25-mile length.
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Creating opportunities for loop trail experiences will influence hikers, who may do one, maaaaybe two, loop(s) in a day, but for cyclists who can traverse the landscapes multiple times each day, variety is the flavor du jour. If authorities really want to deter off menu ordering, strategic cholla placement and confiscation of bikes with a buy-back program to raise funds for an updated Resources Plan are the way to go.
 
DangerDirtyD said:
Creating opportunities for loop trail experiences will influence hikers, who may do one, maaaaybe two, loop(s) in a day, but for cyclists who can traverse the landscapes multiple times each day, variety is the flavor du jour. If authorities really want to deter off menu ordering, strategic cholla placement and confiscation of bikes with a buy-back program to raise funds for an updated Resources Plan are the way to go.
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It should also be noted that cyclists don't need to be able to ride 'up' trails in order to enjoy them. IMO, one way to have less traffic on, or building of new, off-menu trails is to incorporate popular, existing unauthorized trails with as few changes as possible. For riders, Nestall can be accessed from the top from the neighborhoods, or by riding up Meadows or West Ridge to TOW. And of course hikers can, and do, go up or down virtually anything.
 
tbarnesarc said:
Evacuations have been lifted for the TOW neighborhoods! Woohoo! Sounds like they have it under control now. Phew! That was a little too close for comfort. Glad no homes were lost.

"Effective 6:00 p.m., evacuation orders for all Laguna Beach residents in the Top of the World and Old Top of the World areas have been lifted. All displaced residents are able to return to their homes at this time. Please do so in a safe and responsible manner. The City of Laguna Beach greatly appreciates your compliance during the fire incident and we are happy to report no structure loss. The City wants to sincerely thank all residents affected by the evacuation for their cooperation during this fire emergency.

Over 1500 Laguna Beach residents were initially evacuated. The Laguna Beach Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority, CalFire, Laguna Beach Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the fire. Laguna Beach City Administrators monitored the fire continually from the City’s Emergency Operations Center.

The Care and Reception Evacuation Center the City opened for evacuees at the Susi Q Community Center will be closing immediately. Residents at the Center need to make arrangements to return to their homes."

Grabbed the images below from Laguna's City wastebook page:

View attachment 39736 View attachment 39737 View attachment 39738 View attachment 39739 View attachment 39740
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wow. Thanks, Barnes. at least it looks like rockit, mathis, carwreck escaped the burnage, though cant really see upper mathis and car wreck in this pic. Its actually good for the ecology there to burn every 20-25 years. (but not too frequently). Im not sure if that patch burned in '93.
Firefighters did an incredible job stopping this fire.
 
Lunchtime trip to get a look. Crews are still hard at work.

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Interesting photo! So it didn't affect smoothies / oh henry but did affect the bottom of nestall like we thought.
 
Cougar said:
https://twitter.com/OCFA_PIO/status/1003037246222622720

That's absolutely threatening structures.
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It sure looked like the fire got all the way to the houses, based on this clip.

But I'm curious about a couple things.. First, if one of us came on a fire like this in it's earliest stages, would we simply report it, or actively try to keep it from spreading (if we could do so safely)?

And then, if fire's a healthy part of the ecosystem, shouldn't controlled burns be a scheduled part of the management plan?
 
kioti said:
It sure looked like the fire got all the way to the houses, based on this clip.

But I'm curious about a couple things.. First, if one of us came on a fire like this in it's earliest stages, would we simply report it, or actively try to keep it from spreading (if we could do so safely)?

And then, if fire's a healthy part of the ecosystem, shouldn't controlled burns be a scheduled part of the management plan?
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They are currently doing controlled burns up on Main Divide from Eagle towards Bedford.
 
kioti said:
It sure looked like the fire got all the way to the houses, based on this clip.

But I'm curious about a couple things.. First, if one of us came on a fire like this in it's earliest stages, would we simply report it, or actively try to keep it from spreading (if we could do so safely)?

And then, if fire's a healthy part of the ecosystem, shouldn't controlled burns be a scheduled part of the management plan?
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I think thats Soka University.
1. If a fire is small enough for you to put out by yourself safely, you caught the guy that started it! Most likey not much you could do, just contact ranger or fire dept ASAP
2.I think in the county parks its too risky in such a small area in close proximity to homes on all sides. Like J said they do it in the national forest.
 
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sir crashalot said:
1. If a fire is small enough for you to put out by yourself safely, you caught the guy that started it! Most likey not much you could do, just contact ranger or fire dept ASAP
2.I think in the county parks its too risky in such a small area in close proximity to homes on all sides. Like J said they do it in the national forest.
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1. Well, in that case I've caught 3 lightening bolts! First on scene with one in Yosemite (witnessed from the top of Half Dome), one near Mammoth (way up above McGee Creek), and one on the New Mexico prairie (responded with my brother). Also interrupted a road ride in Lake Forest to cut a line (with my Sidi's) above an emerging brush fire. Had it stopped by the time the FD rolled up.

2. I think you'd start with a perimeter and also work down from the top. That way you'd protect the homes and lessen the chance of the fire's own energy driving it up the slope.
 
oh, i thought we were just considering fires in aliso, generally human-caused. sounds like i was ambushed by a former firefighter! Yeah , if you catch it early enough, for sure!
i love Mcgee Canyon.
2. True! Still think theyll nevr do controlled in aliso or lcwp.
 
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Not a fire fighter, just a concerned citizen and outdoor enthusiast. :) But my brother was a Hot Shot, so maybe some of it rubbed off. (And the brush fire in Lake Forest was most likely human-caused and being watched by 20 or so people in a nearby apartment complex. None of whom took action, other than maybe a phone call.. which I'd hope would be different with some of us.)

My concern in the county parks is that a necessary and natural occurrence isn't being addressed proactively, AFAIK. The protection of human structures and, more importantly, lives is obviously of the highest priority. But in open space, the brush and trees are also a structure, in many cases for threatened species. IMO, fire management would be a natural component of a truly comprehensive plan.
 
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kioti said:
Not a fire fighter, just a concerned citizen and outdoor enthusiast. :) But my brother was a Hot Shot, so maybe some of it rubbed off. (And the brush fire in Lake Forest was most likely human-caused and being watched by 20 or so people in a nearby apartment complex. None of whom took action, other than maybe a phone call., which I'd hope would be different with some of us.)

My concern in the county parks is that a necessary and natural occurrence isn't being addressed proactively. The protection of human structures and, more importantly, lives is obviously of the highest priority. But in open space, the brush and trees are also a structure, in many cases for threatened species. IMO, fire management would be a natural component of a truly comprehensive plan.
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Agreed
 
Dammit - I was planning a ride there tomorrow, then found this news. I get down there so seldom too. Oh well, ride shifted to Crystal Cove/Moro.

Any news/update? The pics tell a lot, but I don't know the area enough to make much sense of the details. Any map with the burned area shown?
 
redwoods said:
Dammit - I was planning a ride there tomorrow, then found this news. I get down there so seldom too. Oh well, ride shifted to Crystal Cove/Moro.

Any news/update? The pics tell a lot, but I don't know the area enough to make much sense of the details. Any map with the burned area shown?
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Via the latest LCF email so you might get lucky: "The Aliso Fire ignited June 2, 2018 and burned approximately 178 acres of sensitive habitat in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. As of this writing, the park remains closed. OC Parks anticipates re-opening the park in the next few days."

LCWP and El morro are open regardless so you'll still be able to ride down here.
 
This arrived this afternoon from LCF...

Four Burn Area Volunteer Posts to be Staffed

We have received countless offers from our wonderful volunteers to help with the fire. Thank you so much.

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park will have a "soft" opening this weekend, starting June 9, and here’s how you can help. Sign up for one of four posts – each with a 4.5-hour shift. In order of priority:
  1. Dripping Cave South
  2. Dripping Cave North
  3. Coyote Run South
  4. Coyote Run North
Our focus will be to staff these posts Friday through Monday, 7:00 am to sunset, for the next several weekends. Shifts for each post are as follows:

7:00am – 11:30am
11:00am – 3:30pm
3:00pm – sunset

Each volunteer will be required to wear a badge and uniform (and of course bring water/snacks) and check in when you arrive and check out when you leave with Resource Specialist Rick Schaffer.

We imagine most volunteers will hike/ride to his/her respective post; however, if any volunteer needs a ride, please contact Rick.

Each post will have a pop-up (shade), a chair and table. We will be providing talking points and a flyer that the visitors can read and photograph for future reference.

Your main responsibility will be to keep visitors out of the burn area and encourage park users to be patient while the wilderness heals.

Shifts are posted on Shiftboard. As you sign up, please consider the priority posts and fill them first, if possible. We realize that, since most folks will hike/ride in, there may be personal preferences for each volunteer on which location would be best for him/her.

Thank you so much – as always it is our extreme pleasure to work with each and every one of you.
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Email also included this map -

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Your main responsibility will be to keep visitors out of the burn area and encourage park users to be patient while the wilderness heals.
(my emphasis)
 
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