Dad's Toy

[dadstoy]

Hey Brad. Yes that is the ranch. I believe that is the storage lot and above and to the right is our solar panel farm (white "lines" are too straight to be RVs in the storage lot). Most of the developed area is behind this shot and the undeveloped 10,000+ acres are off to the left. 14,000 acres in total.

Originally Posted by bkahler

Dean, I zoomed in on the this picture. Am I correct in assuming the ranch is in the foreground and those are some of the RVs and trailers visible?

Attachment 402048

That is a terrifying picture. I hope you're not second guessing any of the decisions you've made over the years. At a minimum you got to enjoy 30+ years of having the motorhome, of having fun on the ranch and enjoying life. That's more than a lot of people can say about their lives.

By the way, you could always say OH DUNG......

[bkahler]

I've always heard that no news is good news........

[dadstoy]

Oh Dung!!!


We are getting a few updates from the property. Power has been turned off on the mountain, probably due to extreme fire danger. Night before last, the fire doubled in size as the winds blew it south east across the back of the property and beyond.


Main compound has so far been protected pretty well. No structures, infrastructure, or RVs have been burned. I believe the winds are now coming out of the north, so that is helping to keep the fire off the main compound, but as you can see in the fire map, the fire is right there and the winds shift directions every day!


All primitive back area of the ranch seen in the attached ATV pics has been burned over. Or at least I'm assuming it has. It will be interesting in the future to see if any area within the fire parameter has been spared flames. Worst danger after a fire is the burned, dead trees falling. We probably won't be allowed in there for a very long time.



We have 50+ horses at the ranch (ranch and private). They have been moved to an open area surrounded by huge dozer lines and are well looked after. We have very profession and experienced wranglers and staff that know what they are doing. Every time we have a fire in the area, folks go bonkers over the horses. It is more dangerous and stressful to the horses to trailer them off the property. They will be moved off if absolutely necessary.



Other then that it is still just wait and see. I'm sure the ash and fire retardant clean up will be a big job, but I'm sure it won't compare to the dust on the MH from Burning Man! Does fire retardant dropped from massive sized aircraft clean off of aluminum well? Just asking for a friend!

[bkahler]

Beautiful country. I would say being cautiously optimistic is warranted in this situation.

I can't answer your question on fire retardant but if its turns out that it etches or stains the skin you could always go the Argosy route....

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Beautiful country. I would say being cautiously optimistic is warranted in this situation.



I can't answer your question on fire retardant but if its turns out that it etches or stains the skin you could always go the Argosy route....

Well, not those Argosy colors, but I do like Marc’s (marcvl) rig!

[bkahler]

Patiently waiting for another update.........

[mayco]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Patiently waiting for another update.........

Me too!

[dadstoy]

The fire came within 1 mile of the developed compound. Only trouble spot left is 4 miles northwest, but they seem to have a good handle on that now. The highway was opened yesterday, but the ranch is still under an evacuation order.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

The fire came within 1 mile of the developed compound. Only trouble spot left is 4 miles northwest, but they seem to have a good handle on that now. The highway was opened yesterday, but the ranch is still under an evacuation order.

[cmadmaxman]

Great news

Hope you can get back out there soon.

[martin300662]

Great news Dean

[PeterH-350LE]

Time to polish her up, Dean. Very happy to hear!

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by PeterH-350LE

Time to polish her up, Dean. Very happy to hear!

Thanks Mike, Brad, Chris, Martin and Peter. We dodged a big one this time. We have had many fires over the years, but this one came the closest to taking out the entire property. This one did however, burn through the entire 10,000 acres of the back of the ranch. It will be interesting to see what actually burned and what didn't. These days, this fire at 122,000 acres is considered a small fire. Calif largest fire now at 750,000 acres is only 40% contained. That fire has endangered Lassen Volcanic Park and a new one is now endangering Lake Tahoe. New fires are starting every day. To top it off, our fire season doesn't even reach its peak until October.



The zone the ranch is in is still under an evacuation order, so I can't get up there yet. I would really like to get the exterior in good shape once again. The last five years have really taken a toll on the clear coat, paint and decals.

[dadstoy]

Anyone have a better latch for the folding salon table other then the original "bent nail" or duct tape?

[cmadmaxman]

How about something like this Dean? It's 2" in dia.. Solid Brass Table Lock
Rockler.com

I don't remember what our 310 looked like, I took it out about 14 years ago when we did the bamboo floor.

[dadstoy]

I need something that will hold the two leaves together when the table is stowed. I just think the bent nail is cheesy and of course they are not available.

Originally Posted by cmadmaxman

How about something like this Dean? It's 2" in dia.. Solid Brass Table Lock
Rockler.com

I don't remember what our 310 looked like, I took it out about 14 years ago when we did the bamboo floor.

Attachment 403003

[dadstoy]

I haven't gotten up to the motor home yet. (attached photos are NOT mine) Evacuation order was lifted Monday, but ranch is still closed. Incident Command Post is packing up and moving out today and tomorrow. I would assume many fire fighters will continue to camp there for awhile. The fire is now 98% contained, but that just means the parameter of the fire is under control. The interior continues to burn what ever fuel is left. I guess "officially" 7,000 acres of undeveloped ranch property has burned and we lost no structures and no RVs on the developed property. The developed compound will open on Sunday, so I plan on heading up sometime next week. The temps will be under 100 degrees (anything under 100 is heaven). However, air quality was up towards 200 earlier today as the interior continues to burn and create lots of smoke.


It is amazing and just un-comprehensible what these fire fighters go through and are able to accomplish. If not for their dedicated hard work, the ranch would be gone. There is just no way to properly thank them. We have so many fires here now taking people's homes and businesses and now one of our treasures, Lake Tahoe, is in grave danger. I don't think we will ever be the same after this fire season.



https://fb.watch/7LWC52gXsS/


The above link has some scenes from the ranch. The DC10 tanker dropping fire retardant is at the end of our runway and just on the other side of our upper lodge on the hill. That must have been quite a site to see.


The other photos attached are all on the ranch property.



Again, many thanks to the brave men and women who fight these fire!

[Michigan Air]

Does anyone know where I could get a replacement plastic dash/instrument panel for my 1979 Excella 28’ motor home?
Mine is pretty brittle and I can’t find a replacement or fabricator myself.
Best,
Mervyn.

[jhenry]

Do you have a picture I have one if it's the same as the 1988 345

[dadstoy]

Well still here. I haven’t gone over to the other side of the property to see any damage. Heavy smoke came in after sunset. Hard to breath outside. It was 110 inside the MH and 100 outside when I got here. 72 now inside with A/C. 90 outside. I think it will be on all night due to the smoke.