Tuesday Eve Wrap-Up, from Meca

All,
Yarrow just spoke w/ CF wtr trucking contractors who said they were watering the road as they exit out to Orr Springs Rd - 7:30pm. it's not clear if they're completely done but Y's impression is that they are done. they hauled today from Susanna&Will's and Dusty&Denise's pond and a lot from Ron&Scott's to water road damage on Fred Mac & Main Ranch Rd.
Ii spoke w/ Rita around noon today and learned that Rad Ridge & Fetzer hill had been watered during last night. i was unaware of this when i left ph voice-mail messages for number of Rad Ridge residents this morning. sorry for any confusion this caused.
To answer your question, John B., it's my understanding that it's illegal to draw water from Eldridge as the steelhead are federally listed as 'threatened species'. also, they pump out of creek too fast to sustain a pool when crk is running this low.
I heard Lynn say on radio this AM that a meeting is being called for this Sunday at the Ranchhouse to organize 'restoration work'. Yarrow & I want folks to know that we aren't going to take leadership on this one. we will have some input but not take on coordination.
As most of us realize, this all was a good fire-drill for Ranch community & beyond. but will still have no Fire Preparedness or Fire Response Plan. lots more work needs to be done to hone communication systems, evacuation plans (esp. under short notice w/ firestorm approaching), etc... there may be more fires before summer is over. i suggest that Ranch etal schedule a meeting before our cellular memories let go of the urgency we've all felt this last week -- to make an assessment of what worked well and what didn't, while still fresh. and then take on the various tasks to really get ready for the next one. as some of us have said for years: "it's not if, but when" a wildfire sweeps through our forested community.
There are a number of forested sections of Greenfield that have flashy heavy-fuel stands that will carry firestorms faster than cars can drive. we can all be grateful for the hard-work of friends and neighbors to reduce fuels around many homesteads, and that the fires came only to the perimeter not center of Ranch. we were LUCKY that weather conditions (high humidity, cool temps & breaks in the wind) slowed the fires' movement and were favorable for fire-fighters. we may not be so lucky next time. now's the time to get ready!!
BIG THANKS to the 2 posses that came to our place the day the wind picked up (Thurs?) and we were told that the fire may reach us by afternoon or nightfall. Thanks to everyone (on & off Greenfield) for pulling together in mutual support to stop the fires' advance and feed the crews, all the women who fielded communications & signage, the off Ranch friends who opened their homes -- and especially to Bob & Lynn for shouldering so much of the burden for activating the community and orchestrating coordinations with CalFire. Thank you, thank you, thank you. we are truly blessed. love to all, meca

Here's John B's post, which is referenced above.

Hello Everyone, At 2:00 A.M. Paula & I were awakened by a 3,000 gallon water truck taking water from my brother Jim's pond to spray on RR Road without permission. The operator Raphael with Greg Simpson Co. 468-1654 spoke limited english and I spoke limited spanish. I called calfire who referred me to a sherriff who told me to go back to bed. Shortly therafter Raphael returned and took another 3,000 gal. I then told him no mas and he left the ranch via Fetzer Hill rd. Is it illegal for CF or whoever to draw water from Eldridge Creek? Which Raphael could have easily done at the RR Bridge crossing in stead of our ponds??? We can't afford 6,000 gals of water to be used on the roads! Our ponds are for domestic use and fire suppression if needed!Thanks for listening and answering my question ? John B. Peace