August 29, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title: August 29, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout
Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

 

Description:

First view of the Garnet Fire smoke

The first day in a week when there has not been any lightning to report. I had suspected that and slept in until 0600. That is good as I think I needed the additional sleep. There were four more fires yesterday, so I added them to my list which I started last week. This is a list I started last week to keep track of where the fires are. It seems like it may be useful-we shall see once I get up to Park Ridge Lookout (PRLO). The intention is to use it for me, and determine what modifications there need to be.

There is a fire just across the Kings called the Garnet Fire. It is about 16,000 acres and growing. It has been putting up a whole bunch of smoke. Looking at the air quality sensors, they are high and I am wondering about the advisability of going up.

 

Evening Sun

As the morning goes on, Sherri decides that the air quality does not look good enough for her go up. But I think I will be OK as it is improving. We went out to lunch/dinner about 1330 to Figaro”s Mexican Grill. Sherri and I had gone there many years ago and had forgotten about it. The food is pretty decent. We do have one mishap. The water jug I packed for lookout tipped over and leaked into the back of the car. Not good. Sherri got it cleaned up while I showered. I then called Peggy at PRLO to see how the air was. She said it was pretty good. She is looking down on the smoke as the lookout is right at the upper edge of the smoke. That was the last confirmation I needed.

Smoky Moon

I get out of the house at 1530. In Fresno, it seemed like there was some traffic. But once I get past Centerville, it is pretty sparse. At the Park entrance, there were only three cars, even then I used my Buck Rock Foundation placard to jump the line and get in as an employee. When I get to the gate to go to the lookout, Peggy’s husband is right behind me-he is picking her up.

I get to the lookout at 1720. Peggy gives me the run down of what is important: many fires, we are still in lightning status, and the command channel is no longer restricted. Yesterday, the Park was in extended hours. I give Chief 1 a call to confirm the Park was in extended hours tonight-we are.

I do my scans-nothing pops up-and I listen to the radio. At 1924 I go out of service with the Park, then at 1928 with the Forest. After packing up my stuff, I close up the lookout and talk with Sherri for over an hour. By 2120, I am ready for bed. It is good to be up here.