Pismo, Shell Beach residents prepare for rain near Avila Fire burn scar
PISMO BEACH, Calif. - Pismo and Shell Beach residents who live near the Avila Fire burn scar spent Tuesday preparing for this week s storms.
Those living beneath the scarred hillsides are bracing for mudslides or worse by laying down sandbags and rolls of straw in front of their homes. There was brush, there were weeds protecting the hillside, but all that got burned off. That hillside is more likely to slip particularly in real heavy rain, said Jerry Winkenvach of Pismo Beach.
The City of Pismo Beach said it is working to ensure emergency services are available if needed.
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Major SLO County storm could bring 7 inches of rain and 70 mph winds [The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)]
Jan. 25 A major storm is predicted to hit San Luis Obispo County this week bringing badly-needed rain, but also gusting winds, flooding and power outages.
The weather system is expected to hit the Central Coast on Wednesday and Thursday, when southerly wind gusts could reach 70 mph and 5 to 7 inches of rain could fall throughout San Luis Obispo County, said John Lindsey, PG&E meteorologist, in his Monday forecast.
Lindsey on Monday told The Tribune multiple weather models continue to consistently predict a sizable midweek storm. He tweeted on Monday the models are “still lit up like a Christmas tree,” with big splotches of purple, red and yellow indicating the expected amounts of precipitation.
2020 was an unforgettable year filled with major news events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. As the year comes to a close, we take a closer look at the top local headlines from 2020.
Recent rains didn t pose problem for Avila Fire burn area
and last updated 2021-01-01 01:47:05-05
Rain earlier this week didn t pose a problem for the Avila Fire burn area.
Pismo Beach City officials call the rain in the area Sunday into Monday light, which they say actually helped the recently charred hillside.
In September, crews were preparing for the possibility of mudslides following the June 15 fire that burned 445 acres off Highway 101 and threatened hundreds of homes.
The biggest concern for the city was at the time was the hillside coming down in the path of homes and Highway 101 like was seen in Montecito in 2018.
As winter arrives, plan to prevent possible mudslide in Avila Fire burn area now in place
Avila Fire burn area as seen along Mattie Road in Shell Beach on Dec. 23, 2020 (Dave Alley/KEYT)
PISMO BEACH, Calif. Blackened hills still line the eastern edge of Shell Beach.
It s a daily reminder of the Avila Fire that burned in mid-June. You still see some of the charring marks and scar marks, said Jorge Garcia, Pismo Beach Management Services Director
Since the intentionally-set fire burned 445 acres, Pismo Beach staff has worked with other agencies and officials in an effort to fortify the area.