On Tuesday night, Acting Governor Tom Torlakson issued emergency proclamations for Los Angeles and Monterey counties for the Sand and Soberanes fires.
Advertisement
Cal Fire officials said the blaze was not contained Saturday morning, and they predicted that progress would be hard throughout day.
The fire has destroyed one outbuilding and is now threatening about 1,650 structures, Cal Fire officials said. Cal Fire Officials say they’re doing a good job picking up where the last shift left off. Recent high temperatures and low humidity levels have also impacted firefighting efforts, 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 this morning at a base camp at Toro County Park in Salinas.
Firefighters are dealing with dry, warm conditions; strong winds; and steep, rugged terrain as the fire burns south toward the community of Palo Colorado, where homes were evacuated.
The Soberanes fire started burning Friday in Soberanes Creek at Garrapata State Park in Carmel, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. One priority is to keep the fire West of Carmel Valley, another priority is to stop the fire from moving South further down into Big Sur.
The fire response has blocked Palo Colorado Road and Weston Ridge Road at Highway 1, Cal Fire officials said.
Closures are also in place at Andrew Molera State Park.
Advertisement
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey County is caring for more than 20 pets evacuated from the fire and is seeking donations of cash, pet food and cat litter.
