Emerald Fire :Updated

     Highway 89, the main thoroughfare of Tahoma, remains closed at this hour south of Emerald Bay, due to the Emerald Fire(named for its proximity to Emerald bay).  About 80 personnel are in the vicinity conducting operations in the area near Cascade Lake.   The fire is about 90%+ contained as rain continues to assist efforts to extinguish the blaze.
     Meeks Bay Fire and North Tahoe Fire crews are helping USFS crews with a unified CalFire/USFS   operations center.   Highway 89 will remain closed for an unknown amount of time tomorrow as cleanup efforts occupy the road.  The rugged terrain and limited access has hampered contol efforts but Mother Nature has cooperated by providing cool temps and a light rain.
      The Tobin Fire in the Upper Feather River Canyon is under control.   The Washoe Valley fire is about 70% contained.  It, too, has been aided at control by cool weather and light rain.
      The Mayor visited the Sobranes Fire area over the weekend in an attempt to learn about the most expensive fire in USFS history, costing more than $200 millions to control and extinguish.  It has rained in the Los Padres Nat. Forest for over 24 hours, beginning around midnight last night.  The Mayor stayed in Carmel and listened to the falling rain all night.  Upon returning home today, it rained all the way; and Highway 101 was scored with auto accidents, about 1 every 10 miles or so, as drivers were confronted with limited visibility, crashing rain, slick roads that were often inundated with standing waters.   Ahh, the first days of winter; always rough for the traveler.
      Carmel Valley, the town, was the scene of various heavy equipment trucks and trailers as crews departed Monterey County for home or to another fire scene elsewhere in California.   It's been a long season and it's not over yet.  The Sobranes Fire began July 22nd, almost 3 months ago.  We drove along Tassajara Road, the scene of much of the effort to halt the spread of the blaze as it spread east from Big Sur and the coast along Highway 1.   There was some stark evidence of fire along the ridge tops where backfires had been set and gained some headway on their own.  The CalFire and USFS hotshot crews have departed the monastery at Tassajara.   Local crews/volunteers remain to offer continued vigilance.   Many of the residents have been active at the scene all this time- a long haul, much appreciated by local residents as can be seen in the many posted signs of tribute and gratitude for their efforts on behalf of the community.   The volunteers in the Cachuagua Fire District are also to be commended for their efforts.