Information about the Arnold area.
It appears that the dry spell we’ve been experiencing is about to end.
If you’re traveling this weekend up into Arnold and the Sierras, please be prepared. Check conditions before you leave. Road conditions are available via the link to the right.
Check the “Storm Activity” page to the right for weather forecasts and other useful information.
Starting 08:00 AM on Friday, January 13, 2012, the Toulumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) Will suspend outdoor burning within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County.
The Mother Lode is experiencing one of the driest winters on record. This lack of precipitation, combined with dry winds, has created fire danger levels similar to those usually seen during mid-summer. These conditions have contributed to an unusual number of wildfires caused by escaped debris burns. To minimize this danger to life and property, CAL FIRE will suspend all burning in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit until the area receives significant wetting rains.
“We recognize people conduct their defensible space clearance during the winter, and dispose of the debris by burning.” states Unit Chief Brian Kirk of the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. “But we are encouraging the public to help with this unseasonable wildfire danger by not doing any outdoor burning until we get significant wetting rains. Also, check old debris burn piles to ensure they are completely out. Deep piles of ashes retain heat for several weeks, and high winds can blow these hot ashes into nearby dry leaves or grass and start fires.”
CAL FIRE reminds everyone that it is their individual responsibility to use fire safely and to prevent fires that destroy lives, property and our wildland.
The wind in the mountains has subsided considerably in the last 12 hours, though it is still breezy. Some Lilac Park homes suffered minor damage from falling trees, but as of this posting, there have been no reports of injuries and property damage as been relatively minor.
PLEASE NOTE: Lilac Drive between Maple and Alder is still closed while clean up and utility crews remove debris and make repairs to downed power lines. If you’re headed into the Arnold area today or tomorrow and you have to travel this section of road, we strongly encourage that you plan your travels to arrive while there is still daylight. There are debris and branches everywhere and getting through this area on foot may be hazardous in low light conditions.
UTILITY STATUS:
Certain parts of Lilac Park continue to be without power (See areas in posts below). Comcast is down along the ridge section of Summit View, but how much of Lilac Park that’s affected is unclear at this point.
PROPERTY DAMAGE REPORTS:
The Fu family on Lilac Drive had a tree come down on their property resulting in fairly minor damage to the corner of their house and a portion of the surrounding deck. They have already been contacted.
There is a home on Ponderosa that sustained minor damage to a deck by a falling tree. The address and lot information isn’t available as of this posting, but Grace Neurath is attempting to make direct contact with the homeowner this morning.
There is a vacant home for sale on Summit View that sustained minor damage from a falling tree. We will attempt to contact the Real Estate office listing the property this morning.
CLEAN UP BEGINS
The entire area is littered with debris and branches and clean up efforts have already begun. If you’re planning a trip to assess your property and begin clean up, please be sure to bring appropriate tools. Lot cleaning services are also available HERE.
Going outside has been hazardous due to flying branches and other material so most are staying inside. The high winds have scattered debris over the entire area.
The downed power pole is located between Maple and Alder and is affecting homes in that area since 10:30pm last night. PG & E is on scene and actively working to correct the problem.
All of Laurel Circle is currently without power since 6:30am this morning. This outage may be related to the utility crew working on the downed pole, though this is unclear.
PG & E is aware of the problem.
The Pond family on Lilac Drive had a tree fall on their property resulting in severe damage to an automobile. Initial reports indicate that it was totalled.
There are two homes at the top end of Summit View that are without power due to a tree down, but this is isolated. The rest of Summit View and Ponderosa are currrently unaffected. No other reports of power status are available.
As of this update at 1:35pm, 12/1/11
NO DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES HAS BEEN REPORTED.
We’ll keep you updated.
POWER OUTAGES
Certain parts of Lilac Park are without power and have been since last night. PG & E reports numerous trees down all over the Arnold area with at least one utility pole down in Lilac Park affecting power and cable services to an unknown number of homes.
The PG & E map on our Storm Activity Page is a literal pincushion of power failures all over the central part of the state.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
.DAY ONE...TODAY WINDY CONDITIONS CONTINUE TODAY. NORTHERLY VALLEY WINDS 15 TO 40 WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS IN THE MOUNTAINS WILL BE VERY WINDY TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING. NORTHEAST WINDS INCREASING TO 35 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 80 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 100 MPH ARE POSSIBLE OVER HIGHEST RIDGES. NORTHEAST WINDS 25 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH AT ELEVATIONS BETWEEN 3000 AND 5000 FEET.
Crowding and Berms
Once snow removal operations have begun, Calaveras County snow removal crews will continue to plow snow and push it back to the shoulders within the County right-of-way until removal is completed in preparation for additional storm events. In order to maintain snow-free roadways, it is imperative that there is adequate space on the road shoulder for new snow.
Unfortunately, it is a necessity for the success of every snow removal operation to repeatedly push the snow back (crowd) to the shoulders of the road. The process of plowing and crowding the snow will result in the formation of berms, the pile of snow left in front of all driveways. We will attempt to complete this crowding activity as soon as possible so the creation of additional berms is kept to a minimum. Clearing berms left in driveways is the resident’s responsibility. Please note if you clear the berm by depositing the snow back onto the County-maintained roadway, it will be plowed back into a berm when the snowplow makes its next pass down that road. There is no discernment between fresh snow and shoveled snow into the roadway. Also, be aware that snow may remain in parking areas for hours or days after the snow event has ended.
Parking with in Right of Way
All citizens and business owners will need to follow parking restrictions and commit in order to keep all county maintained rights of way clear during snow plowing operations. The parking or standing of vehicles on the County road, including shoulders, during snow removal operations is prohibited. A member of the California Highway Patrol or Sheriff’s office shall have any vehicles left on the road towed at owner’s expense.
See Calaveras County Code Section 10.28
Sanding – Calaveras County has designated certain roads which will be sanded in order to maintain the main routes for traffic. These routes include school bus routes and major thoroughfares.
For additional questions feel free to contact the Public Works office at (209)754-6402 or visit Public Works Snow Removal website for status information at http://www.co.calaveras.ca.us/cc/Snow.aspx
Known as “The People’s Tree”, the 2011 Nation’s Capitol Christmas Tree will be harvested from the Stanislaus National Forest located in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
The Forest Service recommends 8 to 10 trees to the superintendent of the capitol grounds, who makes the final selection of which tree will be the official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Several aspects are taken into account during the selection, including the shape and fullness of the tree, the tree color and foliage condition, and species characteristics of needle retention and branch pliability. Of course, access to the tree for ease of cutting, loading, and transporting are also considered.
Click on the picture or HERE for more information.
Saturday, October 23, 2011
For $99, you get Saturday mountain bike rides with shuttle assist (mountain bike rentals additional); Dinner and Lodging at Bear Valley Lodge;
Winetasting Sunday – Breakfast; Your choice of other great mountain sports in Bear Valley
Call Bear Valley Adventure Company for more information.
Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company
P.O. Box 5120 • Bear Valley • CA • 95223
Phone: 209-753-2834 • Fax: 209-753-2669 • E-mail: bvxc@sbcglobal.net
Every year on the first Saturday in October you will find a crowd gathered to watch and take part in the Annual Grape Stomp. The event celebrates harvest and the rich wine industry of Calaveras County.
Come and stomp a few pounds of grapes or simply be a spectator at this fun and crazy event! Along with the event, the Gold Rush Street Faire takes place with over a hundred vendors for you to peruse.