Autumn is a time of increased risk of wild fires in Southern California.
Santa Ana winds from the desert interior can reach 50 knots and raise temperatures into the 90s Fahrenheit with humidities dropping below 10%.
These hot dry winds provide the driving force for the explosive development of fires. Not without good reason Santa Ana winds are sometimes refered to as the Devil's Breath.
Shortly before I visited Ventura County a fire had burnt for nearly four weeks before being brought under control by up to 4,200 fire fighters.
The fire ... named the Day Fire ... destroyed over 160,000 acres (650 sq km) of forest and scrub in eastern Ventura County north west of Lake Piru.
My ride started from Piru and I wondered whether it would be impacted by the after effects of the fire.
Piru is a small town in the Santa Clara Valley some 30 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
The town nestles around a loop in the old Southern Pacific Railroad and under the southern slopes of Los Padres National Forest.
During a quick circuit of the town I discovered an ice cream shop ... something to look forward to later in the day.
Halloween was approaching ... and at least half of the homes were decorated with pumpkins ... and many also with witches and scarecrows.
Piru sits at the northern edge of the flood plain of the Santa Clara river and mountains tower over the town.
The ride starts easily enough ... following Piru Creek out of the town. On the far side of the broad alluvial valley a bright flash of green is produced by irrigated crops.
This contrasted dramatically with the parched slopes above.
The road climbs slowly as the sides of the canyon gradually come closer.
The road and the creek carve between high bluffs ... where the exposed rocks are wildly folded by relatively recent geological movement.
On the creek's flood plain are several small horse ranches.
Cattle were cooling off in the creek.
After crossing and re-crossing the creek the canyon opens out.
On the valley bottom is a 6,000-acre working thorough-bred farm called Rancho Temescal.
The ranch ... although primarily dealing with horses ... is also used as a location for films and commercial work.
In the open fields were shelters to provide shade for the horse ... and interestingly they had shiny roofs to reflect the strong sun.
Beyond the ranch entrance the slope increases to 10% and the road climbs up the side of the canyon towards the Santa Felicia Dam.
The base of the dam houses a small hydroelectric plant able to generate up to 1,400 kilowatts
When the road reaches the top of the dam ... views open dramatically along the length of the lake.
I was surprised to see that the lake was still relatively full after a long hot summer.
After climbing up to the dam the road now contours sinuously alongside the lake. As each premonitory is passed new views open up.
After skirting the lake for a further two kilometres I arrived at the Temescal Ranger Station.
The sign outside indicated that cars are charged $8.00 and pets $2.00. The friendly ranger emerged from her hut to say that bikes are free.
Just beyond the Ranger Station is a recreation area that includes a large boat launch facility ... and the adjacent Condor Point promises a Snack Bar.
Unfortunately being a weekday the Bar was closed ... so I had to press on.
I passed a camping area then reached a half closed gate.
The gate seemed to have swung closed by itself ... so it seemed safe to continue.
The mountains in this part of California are relatively young in geological time.
They are still being rapidly eroded and little soil has had time to develop on the steep slopes.
Much of the vegetation is low lying and scrubby.
Rounding a corner I came across a barrier across the road.
A notice alongside the barrier indicated that the road was closed as a result of the Day Fire.
The fire, which was started accidentally by someone burning debris in the Los Padres National Forest, had come within a few kilometres of the lake.
There was no alternative but to turn around ... so I was unable to reach the Blue Point Campground at the head of the lake.
The return to Piru was much faster than the outward journey.
This gave me time to explore the town.
Center Street contains the Community Methodist Church ... the organ of which was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
In the centre of town is the historic Heritage Valley Inn. The inn was built in 1887, originally as a private residence. Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks stayed here in 1910 while filming Ramona.
However I was more interested in the building over the road ... at 3940 Center Street was the U Scream Ice Cream parlor ...
Guidance from FEMA: Being prepared is crucial when a wildfire occurs. You want to know that you have taken proper precautions to protect your home and prepare your family for the possibility of an evacuation. Below is a helpful checklist to keep you and your family safe in the event you are asked to leave your home:
Kirby James
