NorCal fires

Thanks OV and all. We are still without power in all of Del Norte County. Makes it hard as we in the rural areas have wells and it takes a larger generator to run than I have. My Honda 2000 keeps the fridge and freezer good.

The main highway from Oregon is still closed and it looks like the fires have gotten the only power lines into the county. These line are in very remote and rugged country.

There are many fires throughout this and we'll as surrounding counties with another large one to the north of us along the Rogue River in Oregon.
Mike
View attachment 2100556
If you need water let me know. I'm right on the border and can fill whatever tank/container you have.
 

Thank you Ov for the offer of water. I helped a neighbor changed out his 220 submersible well pump for 110 compatible power one and we're sharing his well water now.

We are service by Pacific Power out of Oregon Ron. Just the northwest corner of California.

Mike
 

Thank you Ov for the offer of water. I helped a neighbor changed out his 220 submersible well pump for 110 compatible power one and we're sharing his well water now.

We are service by Pacific Power out of Oregon Ron. Just the northwest corner of California.

Mike
Glad you have water. Pacific power is bringing in generators to power sub stations. I know of one in Smith River and back way into CC (from Brookings) Elk Valley road I think.
 

Thinking about you delnorter, take care. You're pretty sharp, so look out for your neighbors.
 

Acres: 51,821
Containment: 0%
Rowdy creek road closed at the top.
A friend in Hiouchi said they aren't doing much "fire fighting". He is staying and soaking everything. Has a large water tank and will be helping the neighbors too.
 

There are still numerous fires I n the county. There are about 1400 fire fighters now engaged protecting homes in Gasquet are cutting break line where they can. They are flying huge borate bombers, have 8 helicopters, numerous cats along with many many fire tender trucks etc.

The primary goal right now is to save the town of Gasquet. There are homes lost in more remote areas. Pacific Power has brought in a bunch of semi size generators and is connecting them to the various substations. Its been said each of these large generators will power up 3400 homes. They will get to my area on Friday. Yah!

My old coworkers at Caltran are going to try to have Highway 199 open to very limited one way traffic on Monday. CHP said they will let vehicles que up along highway at Hiouchi at 7:00 AM. and reclose in 1/2 hour. They will then escort this convoy about 50 miles to the Oregon border. They will then turn around and escort southbound traffic from Oregon. This is going to be tough pulling this off knowing how we are.

There are portions of this highway that go through very narrow and dangerous country. I know, I worked it as a Catrans highway man for years. One side is vertical uphill, the other is vertical down 100 feet to the river. The roadway is about 22 feet wide and all the guard rails have bunt up. Burned trees and rock are falling continuously. I don't know what they'll do this winter.

Tremendous moonscaping of some beautiful country and 0% contained.
Mike
 

Back in my truckin' days, I used to haul flatbed loads of large sized particle board (8' x 14' sheets) out of Crescent City, usually going to Colorado. They would load me to the max (80,000 lb), and heading out I'd take Hwy 199 up to I-5 in Grants Pass. It was a great load, overall..heavy not too high off the deck.

I was driving a 300" wheelbase Freightliner Classic with 45' of flatbed behind me, and Hwy 199 from Crescent City to the Ore. border is up, down, sideways and narrow as hell, with huge redwood trees literally right on the edge of the road. Several stretches have no shoulder at all. Some corner turns were so tight I had to take up all of the oncoming lane just to get the trailer around those curves without smacking a tree. Several times I had the CHP following me for the first few miles, and word was they took a very dim view if you scratched one of those precious redwoods.

Summer traffic with grandpa's and grandma's in their motorhome(s), a narrow ass two-lane with national treasures trees 6" off the pavement, a CHP on my butt, watching my every move. What could possibly go wrong..
GAAAHsmiley.gif


Also recall that road getting a whole bunch of nasty in winter weather.
 

Last edited:
Great description Dizzy, it's the same road today. Also, they will repeat this convoy over this route of 199 at 5:00 PM each after noon.
Starting coffe this morning. Pretty cool out so I built a little warming fire too.
Mike
20230824_060036.jpg
 

There are still numerous fires I n the county. There are about 1400 fire fighters now engaged protecting homes in Gasquet are cutting break line where they can. They are flying huge borate bombers, have 8 helicopters, numerous cats along with many many fire tender trucks etc.

The primary goal right now is to save the town of Gasquet. There are homes lost in more remote areas. Pacific Power has brought in a bunch of semi size generators and is connecting them to the various substations. Its been said each of these large generators will power up 3400 homes. They will get to my area on Friday. Yah!

My old coworkers at Caltran are going to try to have Highway 199 open to very limited one way traffic on Monday. CHP said they will let vehicles que up along highway at Hiouchi at 7:00 AM. and reclose in 1/2 hour. They will then escort this convoy about 50 miles to the Oregon border. They will then turn around and escort southbound traffic from Oregon. This is going to be tough pulling this off knowing how we are.

There are portions of this highway that go through very narrow and dangerous country. I know, I worked it as a Catrans highway man for years. One side is vertical uphill, the other is vertical down 100 feet to the river. The roadway is about 22 feet wide and all the guard rails have bunt up. Burned trees and rock are falling continuously. I don't know what they'll do this winter.

Tremendous moonscaping of some beautiful country and 0% contained.
Mike
Thanks for keeping us all up to date. So sorry your area is going through this!
Down where I live in Santa Cruz County we had a similar experience a few years that destroyer many of our communities and areas in the Santa Cruz mountains. People are still trying to rebuild!
 

State police escorting cars through the canyon...... I don't know about that!
I now a few semi truck drivers not sure if they will be allowed. They make good time on 199, tourists...not so much!

I will use Bear Camp road, right up the Rogue river. Twisty ? yes. I have a solution for that.

firebird 002.JPG
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top