The fire in Big Sur also known as the basin complex/gallery fire is still burning our of control. It's bee at 3% containment for weeks. There is still 23 miles of terrain to cover before containment is achieved around the perimeter. The good news is that as of now it looks like the Bsin Complex/Gallery fire will not merge with the Indians fire. Some folks have elected to stand and fight at Esalen and at Tassajara
I had thought everyone had evacuated, but apparently not.
My friends down the coast have had to evacuate into town. Currently they are staying at a motel, but won't be able to continue that for too long. Abe is looking for work. He is a skilled carpenter but his tools are down the coast. My room mate and are will give him access to ours. Speaking to him earlier, he is tired and stressed. His home and his mothers home are still standing but no one knows for how long. Deetjen's is still standing but Stone house is gone. Partington Ridge has burned. A map of the basin complex fire can be viewed here. I ask you prayers for those displaced by this behemouth fire.
The Big Sur folk have a special can do kind of spirit. When my friends first had to evacuate their homes, they moved to an unbuilt property owned by one of the family. There was a legal septic system in place but no facilities (toilet) and no structures. Within two days they had a flushing toilet standing in the middle of the field...no structures mind, but a flushing toilet none the less. They also installed a porta-potti in a tent for the womenfolk and the more fastidious folks at the camp. Ya gotta love the Big Sur Spirit!
Here is a pdf of the latest fire info and evacuation orders and advisories as of today.
I drove back from San Diego, where I was attending the 2008 International ROV competition, on the 29th. We could see (and smell) the smoke from the Basin Complex fire all the way from highway 101. It turned the sky the most peculiar color.