[Discussion-AZC] Tassajara Fire

[zendo at austin.rr.com]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to write and let you know that Tassajara has been evacuated due to a couple of large fires in the area. They were started by lightning strikes a few days ago and what started as 3-4 smaller fires have merged into one larger fire to the west of Tassajara. It is called the Basin Complex fire. It ranges from Big Sur west to (currently) within 3 miles of Tassajara and seems to be spreading pretty much in all directions, though mainly east and south. The guests were evacuated two days ago and the students this morning. Heather Iarusso is safely out of Tassajara, as well as Amy and Michelle Parker for those of you who know them. Sixteen of us have remained behind to continue to cut fire lines and to support the Forest Service, who are here to support us. Interdependency in action. We have one engine at Tassajara, with hopefully more on the way.
It's all very dramatic right now with heavy smoke and ashes and charred leaves falling from the sky. Because of the multitude of fires in California and because of the terrain, the fire isn't being fought in the Tassajara area by the various agencies. Most of the resources are tied up on the coast at Big Sur, and by a 58,000 acre fire in Arroyo Seco, which is immediately to our East. The current size of the Basin Complex fire is around 12,000 acres. You can find the fires on Google Maps.
I am safe and doing well, though quite tired, as we're all working a lot. I'm currently at Jamesburg waiting on a shipment of irrigation pipe to wet down the roofs. When I get a chance, I'll write and update you.

Colin