N E W S

7-21-08

Important news: The Bucks Lake Homeowners Association meeting has now been re-scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 9 am, Haskins.

Smoke and fire info: The big effort now is to control the Scotch Fire, which is about 6,000 acres, burning on both sides of the Middle Fork, below Hartman Bar. Extensive burn out and back fire operations are planned for this week, but then the smoke should become considerably less. Our fire department has responded to two incidents of fire fighter injury on the Scotch Fire.

 

7-15-08

Highway 70 is open as of today, but with one way, escorted traffic, with a pilot car.

We get twice daily reports from the team in Quincy, and the team working around Paradise/Oroville. In the last couple of days it is clear that they are now making measurable progress in their fight. Mostly now it seems the extreme terrain in the Feather River country is their biggest obstacle. But you can tell from the language they are using that they feel they are winning the fight. Almost 4,000 people have worked awfully hard on these two fire complexes. Hats off to them!

 

7-11-08

Due to the unsettled conditions with fires and smoke, the Homowners Association meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, has been CANCELLED. It has not yet been rescheduled.

A better day here for smoke. We can see, sort of, across the lake again.

Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, SR 162 is open all the way through to Quincy.

 

 

7-7-08

Warm here today and this week, but NOTHING like it will be in Sacramento and Reno. (Had to rub it in.) The smoke comes and goes, with the most difficulty coming in the late afternoon and early evening. Other than that, we don't notice it much.

Don't forget the Homeowners Association meeting, next Saturday, 9 am, at Haskins.

And, of course, the meeting on Sunday with Jim Saake, the contracted Forest Service appraiser. We will meet him at the Pawelczyk cabin, which is the A frame at the west end of Quarry Road. I can't remember if it is at 1 or 2, but I will confirm that and put it here.

 

7-2-08

Highway 70 closed again today about noon, and the wording of the closure announcement indicates it will now stay closed until fire authorities and Caltrans can be assured of motorist safety.

The Caltrans phone number is: 1-800-427-ROAD. Also, the information line for the "Butte Lightning Complex" is 1-530-538-7826.

We were on an accident on the Oro-Quincy Highway earlier today, and except for the accident, traffic was heavy, but moving adequately.

We had pretty good looking air for most of today. This afternoon the smoke has come back in, so a lot depends on the wind.

 

7-1-08

The smoke haze cleared long enough this morning for us to be able to see a large column of smoke rising from the wilderness area. We have heard that that fire is still pretty much out of control.

Even though the haze has gotten thick again, it is a little less each day. There is little wind, bright sunshine, and smooth water conditions, and it should stay that way through the holiday weekend.

An excellent web site for following all the California fires is: www.yubanet.com. I recommend it strongly.

The annual Fire Department pancake breakfast is scheduled for Saturday morning. Come early, have a good breakfast, and have a look at our brand new Engine 7951. We have just put it into service. Purchased with grant money, it replaces our 1968 Chevy rescue pumper.

 

6-30-08

We have word tonight from the fire management team that 70 is back open. BUT, with one way, controlled traffic with a pilot car.

This evening we can just see across the lake, which is a significant improvement.

 

5-22-08

"Summer" weather is usually not worth a comment. Today is different. Wind. Cold. White caps. And the barometer at 29.36. If it was winter we would be expecting 3 - 5' of snow! Just another typical Memorial weekend at Bucks!

 

5-18-08

Here we are in summer mode.

For Mile High Road cabins the BLWA meeting will be Saturday, July 5, at the Giller cabin, 10 am.

As I know more meetings, I will post them here.

There will be a ribbon cutting for the new Oro-Quincy Highway section at 9:30, Monday, at the Brush Creek Work Station.