Ash fall, Smoke and Helicopters...

June 30, 2008 about 7:30 am...

This morning, there's more smoke in the air than ever. The smoke irritates my eyes and produces a bit of a cough. 

Ash has begun to build up on the vehicles... not a lot... but enough to notice.

Yesterday evening, I passed a small group of firefighters setting up a helicopter landing field at the corner of Tassajara Road and Carmel Valley Road. 

They're transferring operations from the beach, where fog hampered flight, to a rancher's pasture, here in Upper Carmel Valley, where the skies are normally clear and free of fog.

The Basin Complex Fire is 7 miles away over a couple of ridges from here. By tonight, this field may be full of choppers and support crew.