Full Containment Of Big Sur Fire Expected By Friday
BIG SUR (CBS SF) - A forest fire burning in Monterey County near Big Sur that has destroyed more than 20 homes and blackened nearly 770 acres should be fully contained by Friday night, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman said Wednesday.
The blaze, referred to as the Pfeiffer Fire, is only 20 percent contained as of Wednesday and 100 people have been evacuated as the fire continues burning in the Los Padres National Forest, forest spokesman Andrew Madsen said.
Firefighters were are clearing bush and trees for containment lines that will help significantly to prevent the fire from spreading, Madsen said.
"We're right on track for full containment by Friday evening," Madsen said.
A cold front is emerging toward the site of the fire along the coast of Monterey County that might bring erratic winds, but the breezes could blow toward the fire, blocking its advance, Madsen said.
The blaze was ignited late Sunday night near Pfeiffer Ridge Road and state Highway 1, according to Cal Fire.
The flames have burned 769 acres and destroyed 22 homes, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Lynn Olson said.
About 100 people were still being prevented from returning to their residences on Pfeiffer Ridge Road and from Sycamore Canyon Road south to Clear Ridge Road, east to Highway 1 and west to the Pacific Ocean, according to the forest service.
Olson said about 30 of the evacuees were fed lunch and dinner on Tuesday by the American Red Cross at the Fernwood Resort in Big Sur.
She did not know how many of those people spent the night at the resort but said that most who were evacuated are staying with family or friends.
Clear Ridge Road and Pfeiffer Ridge Road have remained closed since Tuesday because of the fire, authorities said.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
