Some progress

Well, it appears that the petition has had some effect and that event organizers have chosen to adjust some of their plans to stay out of the way of firefighting efforts. However it seems unlikely that the small changes announced so far will avoid the many week long unaddressed gridlock that has become a normal part of our small area hosting the reported 85,000 visitors - more than the average number who attend the Super Bowl. Firefighters continue to battle the fire that grows by thousands of acres per day, has now burned over 107 square miles and is only 50% contained. With luck and a good marine layer, today may see the community of Big Sur out of immediate danger. In the meantime supply lines, which must come through the Monterey Peninsula, are about to be filled with Car Week. CalFire spokespersons agree that the traffic will likely slow them up, but their plan is 'to give a little more time' to get from place to place and 'if it is an emergency to put on their lights & sirens'. Let's hope that unlike prior years there is someplace for the traffic to pull over so they can get by.