BajaNomad

Fire near Mikes sky ranch

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 03:38 PM

Big big plume of smoke to the NNE of us, talked to the park people on the VHF they say is very close to Mikes, forestales are on their way! Anybody know about this?

Probably some bonehead associated with the race being careless!

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 04:24 PM

Growing in size, kinda worrying as its only 11 km from us!

incendio.jpg - 17kB

Russ - 5-31-2012 at 04:48 PM

Scary !

goldhuntress - 5-31-2012 at 05:10 PM

That is scary! Are you getting things together just in case? Which way is the wind blowing? Is it going west?

[Edited on 6-1-2012 by goldhuntress]

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 06:03 PM

CONAFOR has been fighting it with choppers, it seems more dispersed now. Hopefully nobody got hurt!

Ken Cooke - 5-31-2012 at 06:07 PM

Be sure to keep everyone here updated. :!:

David K - 5-31-2012 at 06:14 PM

In 2005 (Sept.), we drove from the Pacific to the gulf via Mike's Sky Rancho and a fire had just burned a lot of the area between El Coyote and Mike's... some trees were still smoking: http://vivabaja.com/905/

Ken Cooke - 5-31-2012 at 06:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
In 2005 (Sept.), we drove from the Pacific to the gulf via Mike's Sky Rancho and a fire had just burned a lot of the area between El Coyote and Mike's... some trees were still smoking: http://vivabaja.com/905/


In 2003, I encountered an area between Rancho Coyote and Mike's that had been burned to a crisp. People need to use ashtrays for those cigarette butts.

Hook - 5-31-2012 at 06:52 PM

Facts are still an honorable goal, Bajaguy, despite your apparent opinion of the Nomads board. Should a poster be chastised simply for requesting facts before accusations???

And, of course, NOTHING David says surprises me anymore..................... Especially when he exhibits the same penchant for bias that he accuses "libs" of............:rolleyes:

willardguy - 5-31-2012 at 07:00 PM

and why would anyone wanna leave?

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 07:07 PM

well duhhhh given how we're only a couple days from the 500 and that the route gets fairly close to Mikes and given how theres lots of people around (spectators as well as race crews) then yes chances are it was a "bonehead" person associated with the race who was careless, if it was not around race time then it could have been a bonehead rancher or hiker yes, there are careless "boneheads" in all gatherings of people. Its tinder dry out here guys all it takes is one cigarette butt

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 07:13 PM

And anyway the point of the post before some got so thin-skinned was to see if anyone at Mikes got hurt or if property was damaged....

bajaguy - 5-31-2012 at 07:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Facts are still an honorable goal, Bajaguy, despite your apparent opinion of the Nomads board. Should a poster be chastised simply for requesting facts before accusations???

And, of course, NOTHING David says surprises me anymore..................... Especially when he exhibits the same penchant for bias that he accuses "libs" of............:rolleyes:





facts should never get in the way of a good thread.....or opinion!!! :lol:

David K - 5-31-2012 at 07:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
well duhhhh given how we're only a couple days from the 500 and that the route gets fairly close to Mikes and given how theres lots of people around (spectators as well as race crews) then yes chances are it was a "bonehead" person associated with the race who was careless, if it was not around race time then it could have been a bonehead rancher or hiker yes, there are careless "boneheads" in all gatherings of people. Its tinder dry out here guys all it takes is one cigarette butt


Agree! :yes::cool:

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 07:20 PM

Anyway there does not seem to be any more flare-ups so it looks like the forestales might have it under control, hope theres no flareups at night. Nothing the choppers can do then!

willardguy - 5-31-2012 at 07:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
yeah probably careless race boneheads:rolleyes:
hey astrobaja sorry about that. the roll eyes were a halfhearted attempt at defending the offroad community that often take alot of flax for problems that maybe we didnt cause. turns out the rolleyes dont work for everyone.:coolup:

[Edited on 6-1-2012 by willardguy]

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 07:35 PM

willardguy: don't sweat it!! I spoke too soon about new flareups:( Talked to the condor folk who are at punta san Pedro checking the fire (you can see all the way to vale de Trinidad from there) apparently the fires advancing to the east now, Juan said it was very very close to Mikes so probably they evacuated!

Hope the winds stay low tonight!

DianaT - 5-31-2012 at 07:58 PM

Dang --- I am sure it is going to be a very long night for you! Stay safe. Also hope all at Mikes is OK.

Bajaboy - 5-31-2012 at 08:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Dang --- I am sure it is going to be a very long night for you! Stay safe. Also hope all at Mikes is OK.


times two...stay safe:!:

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 08:20 PM

We will be leaving the VHF radio on all night! Time for a shot or 2 of Herradura!!

Safe prayers for you tonite (and for Mike's)

thebajarunner - 5-31-2012 at 08:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
We will be leaving the VHF radio on all night! Time for a shot or 2 of Herradura!!


11 km is a long way for a fire,
be safe
sleep well,
and keep the place alive so I can come visit some day

astrobaja - 5-31-2012 at 10:48 PM

thanks Bajarunner! We had about an hour of thick smoke roll through as a gentle north wind channeled everything back at us. Outdoors you could'nt see a 300 feet it was like a medium fog! I thought if this keeps up we might have to leave just because of the smoke! Luckily its blown though for now. Theres a faint glow of fire towards Mikes still.

We have fire events man made or lightning caused every year here, all part of the adventure eh?

bent-rim - 6-1-2012 at 12:10 AM

Having the experience of operating a pit for M/C racers for SCORE races several times in Baja, I can say that it's the locals who have the most disregard for their surroundings.

chuckie - 6-1-2012 at 04:19 AM

Spoken like a true gringo....geez

Thunderstorms lately?

thebajarunner - 6-1-2012 at 07:46 AM

My experience at the Parque Nacional during this time of year has been experiencing big afternoon storms.

They can be good news or bad news.
They bring lightening strikes- bad
They bring torrential rains- good

Hope you get a nice afternoon soaker
without the light show....

surfer jim - 6-1-2012 at 02:57 PM

The truth is fire was started by "stargazers" trying to make off roaders look bad.

J.P. - 6-1-2012 at 03:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by surfer jim
The truth is fire was started by "stargazers" trying to make off roaders look bad.






No one has to try to make them look bad they do a good job on thier own.:wow::wow:

astrobaja - 6-1-2012 at 04:44 PM

OK ignoring some of the thread hijackings and stupid comments, heres an update on the fire. This morning there was only lingering smoke but by 2:30 in the afternoon it had started up again stronger than ever to the north and to the east of Mikes.
According to the MODIS googlemap overlay there are 14 fires of varying sizes. helicopters are battling it as we speak...

day2.jpg - 40kB

J.P. - 6-1-2012 at 04:52 PM

Sorry for my part astrobaja. Fires are serious stuff I hope you guys ride it out. I came to Baja from Calaveras county in Northern Ca. up by your place is close as I can get to it in Baja :cool::cool:

[Edited on 6-1-2012 by J.P.]

"14 separate fires"

thebajarunner - 6-1-2012 at 04:54 PM

Sounds suspicious,
Hope it was not someone doing this for a purpose- like disrupting the race, or who knows what.
In my racing days I saw the locals do some pretty stupid stuff to harass and otherwise disrupt our races, but starting fires would not be very bright, no matter the underlying motive.

On a more optimistic note, that smoke is going away from you, the Parque and Meling. That means there is lots of burned over buffer area between you and the fire- hopefully if the wind turns it will be stopped by the already singed areas.

astrobaja - 6-1-2012 at 05:01 PM

Bajarunner, don't know if its suspicious once its started it can jump to other areas pretty easily with the wind. One thing is for sure it was started by man there was not a cloud in the sky. So will it actually hamper the race, does it pass close enough? The buffer area is now 9 years old, theres enough undergrowth to worry about!

Buffer

thebajarunner - 6-1-2012 at 06:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Bajarunner, don't know if its suspicious once its started it can jump to other areas pretty easily with the wind. One thing is for sure it was started by man there was not a cloud in the sky. So will it actually hamper the race, does it pass close enough? The buffer area is now 9 years old, theres enough undergrowth to worry about!


What I meant to communicate....
The best "buffer" is a fire break.
And, when the area has burned over in the present fire that is the best fire break you can have.
From the looks of the smoke you have a considerable break now, between you and the present fire location
If the wind turns, the fire cannot again take itself across this burned area.
I am hoping that you all will be spared by this already burned area.
Just my thoughts.

astrobaja - 6-2-2012 at 10:52 AM

I hear what you're saying about the fire break, yes once they get it out it will be a dandy one!

Update: flared up again around 9 am, its just north of Las Truchas heading NE. Helicopters are hard at it, they mudt have a good local source of water, maybe using Mikes swimming pool...

We have a large 4000L tank ready just in case.

day3.jpg - 33kB

David K - 6-2-2012 at 04:55 PM

Thanks for the updates... Hoping is stays far from Rancho Concepcion!

Update, PorFavor

thebajarunner - 6-3-2012 at 06:59 PM

Yo, Astroman,
Either you got burned up (hope not)
Too busy
or just plain decided it was old news,

But, we are still sitting here wondering where, if, how and how bad the fire is/was/will be???

Also, hoping to get a report on status of Mikes
and finally wondering if any racers had contact with the fire (No, not if they started it- if it impacted them)

Thanks

DianaT - 6-3-2012 at 07:05 PM

Yes hoping for an update---- a postive one, please

astrobaja - 6-4-2012 at 08:03 AM

Sorry to say its not a positive update:(

But each day it starts up anew when the wind picks up. Right now the main fire is burning up towards the park in the San Raphael arroyo!! Parks starting to get worried and it seems the state is not dedicating enough manpower to combat it!!!

No word on what happened to Mikes but the 1st day the fires pretty much had it surrounded according to the Modis google earth overlay here:

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/googleearth.php

TW (Tom) stopped by for a nice visit yesterday but he knew nothing of Mikes fate either!!

Heres a pic taken by the park from Punta San Pedro looking down at the fire yesterday.....not good! Anybody have any ties in the gov't to get some more aid here?

301893_10151785511630360_877815359_24252447_59024324_n.jpg - 36kB

David K - 6-4-2012 at 08:26 AM



Yikes!! :(

[Edited on 6-4-2012 by David K]

bajaponderosa - 6-4-2012 at 09:28 AM

Was up at the Ranch Friday for lunch. The fire is east of the ranch heading over the ridge. There were 3 truck loads of fire fighters and a fuel truck for the helicopter.

astrobaja - 6-4-2012 at 02:21 PM

Looks like they are getting a handle on it today despite strong gusty hot winds!
Fingers crossed!

astrobaja - 6-4-2012 at 04:24 PM

Word is from the firefighters that the fire was likely started by campers near Mikes. Luckily no damage to Mikes itself!:)

MexicoTed - 6-4-2012 at 08:10 PM

AstroBaja,

Love to hear a Tuesday, June 5th update if possible. I have some friends traveling north from Loreto who were going to head up to Rancho Meling or Mike's and stay a couple days. I am trying to keep them updated on Facebook.

Thanks,
Ted

Ken Cooke - 6-4-2012 at 09:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Word is from the firefighters that the fire was likely started by campers near Mikes. Luckily no damage to Mikes itself!:)


So, this club isn't to blame? :rolleyes:

Bajaboy - 6-4-2012 at 09:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Word is from the firefighters that the fire was likely started by campers near Mikes. Luckily no damage to Mikes itself!:)


So, this club isn't to blame? :rolleyes:



Really:?: Land is burning and you're posting pics of rental vehicles:o

Some of those folks look "HOT" to me

thebajarunner - 6-4-2012 at 09:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Word is from the firefighters that the fire was likely started by campers near Mikes. Luckily no damage to Mikes itself!:)


So, this club isn't to blame? :rolleyes:



Really:?: Land is burning and you're posting pics of rental vehicles:o


Spontaneous combustion is my guess based on that foto....

astrobaja - 6-5-2012 at 10:04 AM

Mexico Ted: no smoke today either, I think its out for good!

Ken: hmmm I think the guy with the "manbreasts" did it :D

MexicoTed - 6-5-2012 at 10:25 AM

Thanks AstroBaja. I will let them know. Do you have a quick update to what areas burned or any roads that might be closed, etc.?

Ken Cooke - 6-5-2012 at 06:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Ken: hmmm I think the guy with the "manbreasts" did it :D


This guy? :o


I'm voting for the guy on the left

thebajarunner - 6-5-2012 at 07:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Ken: hmmm I think the guy with the "manbreasts" did it :D


This guy? :o


TMW - 6-6-2012 at 09:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MexicoTed
Thanks AstroBaja. I will let them know. Do you have a quick update to what areas burned or any roads that might be closed, etc.?


The Observatory road to Meling and Rancho Coyote were not affected. Was up there Sunday to see Astrobaja and we only saw the smoke in a distance toward Mikes Sky Ranch.

astrobaja - 6-7-2012 at 04:18 PM

A few stats for this fire, total area burned 2250 hectares (5500 acres) add 4 helicopters flying for 4 days at 45,000 pesos per hour. A heavy duty bill!!

[Edited on 6-7-2012 by astrobaja]

Mexitron - 6-8-2012 at 06:42 AM

I'm surprised that they are using helicopters at all---most the fires I've seen down there are just left to burn out on their own seems like. Were they being extra cautious since the park was in danger? ( Actually what makes the Sierra SPM unique is that fires were unmanaged---thus all the undergrowth was burned off and most fires never went into destruct mode in the crowns of the trees).

David K - 6-8-2012 at 08:05 AM

The protection of Mexico's observatory complex, might be the reason...?

thebajarunner - 6-8-2012 at 08:22 AM

David, I had assumed the same thing, protect the observatory

Plus 45,000 pesos per hour for the chopper seems way high to me,
I would think only about half that much
and, wondering where they got the water,
There may be some rancher reservoirs in the area, I seem to remember a pool at Mikes- been a long time since I was there.