Soberanes Fire Forces Shutdown Of Famed Big Sur Parks
MONTEREY COUNTY (AP/CBS SF) -- California's signature parks along the Big Sur coastline that draw thousands of daily visitors were closed Tuesday as one of the Soberanes Fire threatened the scenic region at the height of the summer tourism season.
The large wildfire burning in Monterey County increased to almost 20,000 acres as of Tuesday morning
The Soberanes Fire threatened a long stretch of pristine, forested mountains hugging the coast and sent smoke billowing over the famed Pacific Coast Highway, which remained open with no flames visible to motorists but a risk that the blaze could reach the roadway.
"It is folly to predict where this fire will go," said California state parks spokesman Dennis Weber.
The Big Sur closures were put into place for parks that draw 7,500 visitors daily from around the world for their dramatic vistas of ocean and mountains. Campgrounds were closed because of the dangers smoke could pose to visitors but could reopen soon if the blaze is held back by firefighters, Weber said.
The park shutdowns came as a fire that started Friday just north of Big Sur grew Tuesday to over 30 square miles or approximately 19,311 acres but was just 10 percent contained. 20 homes have burned in the zone, residents of 300 more were ordered to evacuate and more than 2,000 firefighters were trying to douse the blaze.
"At any point in time this fire can change directions, can spread very quickly and if that happens there could be embers that fly a mile ahead of the main fire," said Richard Cordova, a state fire captain.
The fire left four firefighters with minor injuries Tuesday, Cal Fire officials said. More than 2,300 firefighters are battling the Soberanes Fire.
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The four firefighters were treated at the scene and were allowed to continue their work, Cal Fire officials said.
The blaze began shortly after 8:45 a.m. Friday at Soberanes Creek in Garrapata State Park, north of Big Sur, and crews expect to reach full containment on Aug. 5, according to Cal Fire.
Crews have prioritized extinguishing the fire in the Carmel Highlands area, which is closest to the fire and has the most threatened homes, Cal Fire operations section chief Mark Brown said during a news briefing Wednesday morning at a base camp at Toro County Park in Salinas.
Firefighters are also looking to make progress at Los Padres National Forest and surrounding areas, Rancho San Carlos and Williams Canyon, according to Brown.
The fire was "aggressively burning" near the Los Padres National Forest, an area that has become the most challenging for crews, Brown said.
Fire officials hope to get helicopters in the air to access the southern section of the blaze, he said.
A section of the fire burned a half-mile away from state Highway 1, but there are no planned closures to the highway, Brown said.
Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal called on the public to avoid Highway 1 unless they have business in the area because of multiple emergency vehicles parked along the freeway while the fire continues.
A team is looking into what caused the fire, but greater focus has been placed on evacuations and life-saving efforts, Cal Fire incident commander Todd Derum said.
The blaze has destroyed 20 homes and two outbuildings, while 1,650 structures remain threatened, Cal Fire officials said.
Multiple agencies are assisting Cal Fire in its suppression efforts by providing various resources including 14 helicopters and 215 engines, agency officials said.
Crews are continuing to face problems accessing certain parts of the fire, which is very active above the marine layer, Cal Fire officials said.
Helicopters are back up in the air after the marine layer broke around 8 a.m., which benefits air crews but doesn't help the fire itself, Cal Fire Capt. Lucas Spelman said.
Much of the blaze is in mountainous terrain inaccessible for fire engines, which means many firefighters walk to the fire with several hundred feet of hose and gear loaded on their backs, Spelman said.
The extensive fire has led 300 residents to evacuate from the Palo Colorado community, Old Coast Road, Rocky Creek Road, Bixby Creek Road from state Highway 1 south to Mesa Road, Corona Road east of Highway 1 and Riley Ranch Road east of Highway 1, Cal Fire officials said.
An evacuation center has been set up at Carmel Middle School, according to Cal Fire.
People have been warned to leave southern parts of Carmel Highlands, the area south of Rancho San Carlos, White Rock and Old Coast Road south from Bixby Creek to Little Sur River, Cal Fire officials said.
A closure is in effect for Palo Colorado Road at Highway 1, Robinson Canyon Road south of Penon Peak Trail and Weston Ridge Road at Highway 1, according to Cal Fire.
The fire has prompted the closure of Garrapata State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Point Lobos State National Reserve, Point Sur Lighthouse State Historic Park and the Pine Ridge and Mt. Manuel trails at Los Padres National Forest, state park officials said.
As of Wednesday morning, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey County is caring for more than 25 pets evacuated from the fire, shelter officials said on Facebook.
The SPCA is also seeking cash donations, small bags of pet food and cat litter that can be made at Carmel Middle School or its shelter at 1002 Monterey Salinas Highway in Salinas.
Anyone affected by the fire who needs help with pets or large animals may call the SPCA at (831) 373-2631.
The Community Foundation for Monterey County is collecting monetary donations to help people affected by the fire. More information on making a contribution can be found online.
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