Monday, July 28, 2008

Now It's Time to Say 'Goodbye' to All Our Com-pa-ny...

July 28, 2008 about noon....
(photo by Kari Greer)

Hi, friends and neighbors!

You can listen to the final "Morning Update" interview with IC Jeanne Pincha-Tulley from the Spike Camp in Jamesburg, HERE and at KUSP's website.

Our common ordeal is now coming to a close and we all have our lives to which we must return... others will tell the story "after the fire" better than I can. I'll leave it to them!

For my part, "Thank You" to all of you who made this 'blog a compelling and interesting source of information for our community.

If I try to name everyone, I'll fail... but I'd like to thank Jim Kasson, in particular, for his unfailing dedication to bringing us twice a day MODIS updates.

Dr. Eric Walters of Hastings Reserve also contributed a tremendous amount of on-the-ground reports during the Mandatory Evacuation, as did so many of our good neighbors and friends, offering pictures and information.

BIG ups to Cachagua Fire and in particular Rod McMahon, Bear Kimber, Dane Bonsper... and, of course, Bob Eaton, without whose pastures this production would have been hard to stage!

Many thanks to IC Chief Jeanne Pincha-Tulley and her staff, who reached out to communicate with the Central Coast communities about this fire, from the day she took command. Chief, the Forest Service may not know what a gem they've got in you... but we sure do!

KUSP has been an invaluable resource, my personal media outlet and a dedicated community-based medium for accurate and broad-based information on the fire. Steve Laufer, Manager of New Media at KUSP, has worked tirelessy - well, OK, he's tired - on this project. He deserves a standing ovation.

Finally, from me personally, thanks for your kind words of support and for your comments! Martha and I have met many of our neighbors for the first time; and, that's been an unexpected delight!

If you wish to express thanks financially, below are my suggestions. Each or any one of these organizations need and deserve your support... they are largely VOLUNTEER organizations:



And, finally, a BIG THANKS, to the thousands of Wildland Firefighters who came to defend our lives and property when we called.

They didn't HAVE to do this... they did it because... it's what they do.
__________________________________________
Note on the Future of 'Life in the Fire Lane'...

My plan for this 'blog is to use it to further the community conversation about creating - at least - a community-sourced working plan for Wildand Fire Fuels Reduction and at best, working within our community to produce a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. I'll post only if there's relevant information or announcements to convey.

If you'd like to be a part of a longer-term effort putting together such plans and getting buy-in from the various agencies that govern our local public lands, you're invited and feel free to contact me.... and, thanks to those of you who have done so, thus far.

-- waves -- "Y'all come back, now... heah??"

Best,

Kelly Erin O'Brien
(831) 659-2320 home
(650) 533-1010 cell

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice to be winding down, huh? As I have said before, I have found your blog to be incredibly informative and helpful during this monster fire. Thank you so much for all that you have done. I look forward to the next stages of rehabilitation, mitigation, and future planning.

Kelly Erin O'Brien said...

Kate!!!

It IS nice to be winding down!

Thanks for your kind words and all the work you've done and will do! I've loved reading your blog... a real value personally and to the community.

I look forward to working with you and others in planning for the future!

Best,

Kelly

Anonymous said...

"It was the hottest of times, it was the coolest of times"...to watch you rise to the occasion and develop your blog into such a central and dependable source of information during this sanity testing experience.

I like how you're closing it down too.

Thank you for your clear and sensitive reporting, your goofy MODIS cafe headlines, and your chopper loving enthusiasm.

Take care.

Tony

(I still think it's amazing how the *actual* fire lane seemed to spiral in closer and closer to your front door.)

preston said...

Of course "others will tell the story" of the fire. But, I would love to hear your story woven into an audio montage. You are very good at interviews, so think about how this story might be told aloud. Just a thought.

Kelly Erin O'Brien said...

Tony,

Thanks!!! Your support and encouragement has always been appreciated!

Best,

Kelly

Kelly Erin O'Brien said...

Preston,

Now THAT's an interesting idea!!! Thanks!!

Consider it considered!

Best,

Kelly

Anonymous said...

As a peninsula resident and a big fan and frequent visitor of our rural neighborhoods, I have been reading your blog, among others, since the sparks began to fly. I watched the first lightning strikes from Nepenthe on solstice weekend. I feel like I have come to know you and I feel much closer to Cachaqua because of your blog. I am glad, of course, that the fires are leaving but I sincerly wish you were not. I sorta think we have all become friends and closer beause of your inspiring writings. I'm gonna come up soon to try to find that Cachaqua Ritz Carlton I've been hearing about. Begorra, I'll look for you among the shamrocks when I do, darlin'. All the best ...Erin go braugh.

Namaste,
Robert Ward

Caren said...

Well, I just had to tell you one more time how much I appreciate the time and effort that you put into this blog throughout the fire. It was always the first place I came to and I was never disappointed. I lived in Cachagua for 3 years and would have been in the manditory evacuation zone, if we were still there so all of your carefully chosen words helped keep an eye on friends and places that are close to my heart. I hope to meet you one of these days! Take care and again, thank you!
Caren

Kelly Erin O'Brien said...

Robert and Caren,

I want to thank you for taking a moment to express your thoughts and feelings to me... believe me, it makes a difference to me to know that this little whoop-de-doo kept people informed and perhaps a little entertained.

We're right here in Jamesburg, next door to the Hilton, so feel free to stop in and say hello if you're in the neighborhood!

All the best, smiles for miles,

Kelly

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