Elderly Oklahoma Tornado Survivor Discovers Pet Dog Alive During Television Interview

The tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma has been terrifying to see. This interview with an elderly woman who survived the tornado is touching in several respects. She is asked what it was like during the tornado; she says she was sitting on a stool with her dog in her arms in a small bathroom. Before she knew it she was lying in rubble. She called for her little dog and indicates the dog is missing and somewhere in the rubble.

The interviewer then asks "Are you able to comprehend yet what happened here?" and I love the woman's response, given with a grin "I know exactly what happened here. Exactly." Then "What do you think of all this, this is your neighborhood...I can't imagine.." and her reply "This is life in the big city." Literally a second later they discover the woman's dog, a little black terrier, alive in the rubble, to the joy of this woman and to all of us.

Portions of Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park Opened This Morning

As announced yesterday, the National Park Service has opened certain sections of Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park this morning. Due to the extensive fire damage to roughly 70% of the 1,170 acres, most areas will not be initially be accessible. The public will not have access into Sycamore Canyon, the "Waterfall," Danielson Monument and other areas until the National Park Service deems these areas suitable and safe. I explored the area early this morning and indeed, under the cloud cover, there was much devastation to be seen...though no structural damage that I could see other than this bench overlooking Upper Sycamore Canyon.

This bench overlooking Upper Sycamore Canyon put up a good fight.Danielson Road trail to the Waterfall, Monument and Boney Mountain Wilderness is currently closed, though Hidden Valley Overlook to the left is accessible.A bit of cloud cover in Newbury Park this morning after two blistering hot days.Scenes from the Hidden Valley Overlook trail amid charred hills.

More photos on the CVG Facebook page at THIS LINK.

National Park Service to Re-Open Some Santa Monica Mountains Trails on May 14th

Now that the 24,000-acre Springs Fire is officially controlled, the National Park Service has announced it will re-open some trails on the western side of the Santa Monica Mountains on Tuesday morning, May 14th, with restrictions.  

Before and after Spring fire view from bench at Upper Sycamore Canyon Overlook at the boundary of California State Parks and National Park Service land in Pt Mugu State Park (photo on right courtesy of National Park Service).

Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park will partially re-open, but some trails will remain off-limits and the park will close from sunset to sunrise. Due to ongoing safety concerns and trail damage, visitors will not be able to travel into Sycamore Canyon, but will be able to reach the overlook at the boundary with Point Mugu State Park.  

The Sandstone Peak and Mishe Mokwa trailheads will also re-open, as will the Backbone Trail east of the Point Mugu State Park boundary. California State Parks land sustained severe fire damage and all backcountry trails in the area remain closed. 

According to the NPS map, the public will not initially be able to access the windmill trail in Rancho Sierra Vista or Danielson Road trail to the Waterfall and Danielson Monument.

Click image for link to larger, pdf version of trail map closures on NPS site.

"We know the public is anxious to return to their neighborhood national park," said David Szymanski, superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. "We're working as hard as we can to balance that enthusiasm with visitor safety and protection of our natural and cultural resources." 

Visitors are encouraged to help nature recover from the fire by respecting trail closures and staying on the trail in areas that are open. Foot and bike traffic tramples sensitive soil, vegetation, burrows and nests. 

Park officials estimate 70% of Rancho Sierra Vista's 1170 acres burned during the fire, though the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center and all other structures were protected. More information is available at 805-370-2301. 

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park System, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo.

Update on Springs Fire and Photos From Rancho Sierra Vista and Dos Vientos

This morning the Ventura County Fire Department gave an update on the Springs Fire that indicated the fire remains at 28,000 acres and that the hard work by firefighters yesterday and overnight has increased containment to 60%. There have been five minor injuries to firefighters, including two falls and three with debris in their eyes. Personnel assigned is 1,856, including 212 fire engines and six helicopters. It is expected that the de-mobilization process will begin today and some firefighters will be sent home or to other fires. All evacuation orders have been lifted. Tremendous work, firefighters!

According to the National Park Service as of 9am today all trails west of Yerba Buena Road are currently closed (Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, Point Mugu, Sandstone Peak and Mishe Mokwa Trailheads, and the Backbone Trail west of Mishe Mokwa to Yerba Buena Rd). Check www.nps.gov/samo/index.htm for updates. Here are some photos of burned areas in Rancho Sierra Vista and Dos Vientos, but the good news is that structure damage was very minimal. No damage to the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center and other structures in Rancho Sierra Vista. Other photos at this link.

Near Sedona homes in Dos Vientos

This bench overlooking the Potrero Grade in Dos Vientos survived just fine

View down toward Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, which was not impacted by the fire

Not So Ancient Chinese Secret: Always Order "To Go" at Panda Express

We are not lacking for Panda Express eateries in Ventura County, with 17 locations throughout the area and neighboring areas ranging from Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, the Conejo Valley, Ventura, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula and Oxnard.

When asked "is this for here or to go," traditionally I have always said "for here" when indeed planning to eat at Panda (which is usually the case) and "to go" when the plan is to take the food with me.

But on a recent visit to Panda Express with a buddy, he insisted that I order "to go" although we fully intended to eat there. "Why?" I asked. Because you get a LOT more food, he said. But is that right to order to go when you know full well you'll be eating at the restaurant?  Aw, what the heck. So I gave in and ordered "to go." And yes, I do agree, you do appear to get more food in the "to go" container than you receive on the plate.

Springs Fire Photos From Newbury Park Looking Towards Sycamore Canyon

As of 7:52PM tonight, the Ventura County Fire Department noted that the Springs Fire that originated in Camarillo Springs this morning is now 8,000 acres and 10% contained. 2,000 homes have been threatened, 15 sustained damage and none were destroyed (which is incredible if you've been watching this on the news). 925 personnel are now committed to the fire. Additional information, including road closures and mandatory evacuations are at fire.countyofventura.org. Scenes tonight from Newbury Park, looking towards Sycamore Canyon are below. The smoke plume was dwarfing Boney Mountain.

Smoke plume in Sycamore Canyon around 6:20PM

As you can see, the smoke billowing out of Sycamore Canyon dwarfed Boney Mountain

Another look at sunset

Dos Vientos is war torn and tattered, but hanging in there as the sun sets.