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Update: Soberanes Fire forces closure of Hwy. 1 

Update posted Aug 16, 7 a.m.

–Highway 1 will remain closed and the closure has been extended through Tuesday, Aug. 16. This is due to increased complexity of removing the hazardous trees and the need to restring power lines and telephone lines along the highway.

Highway 1 remains closed between the Ripplewood Café at 47047 Hwy 1 to the North Coast Ridge Road.

The closure will be continually re-evaluated based on the threat to firefighters and public safety.

Continued cooperation between Pacific Gas and Electric, AT&T, California Department of Transportation, California Highway Patrol, USDA Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and other cooperators is essential to ensure the safety of visiting motorists, residents and firefighters.

Original story posted Aug. 12

smoke in Paso RoblesAs the Soberanes Fire continues to spread slowly toward the Big Sur area and firefighters continue to work aggressively building fire line, authorities are expected to close Highway 1. The massive fire has contributed to smoky skies above Paso Robles over the last couple of weeks.

“As the fire approaches the area, firing operations may necessitate the closure of Hwy 1,” Cal Fire reports. “It is anticipated that firing operations may occur in the next 24-48 hours. Firing operations will only be considered during favorable weather conditions.”

CAL-Fire-sobranos-fire

Cal Fire Soberanes Fire update:

The Soberanes Fire in Monterey County north of Big Sur has currently burned 70,615 acres and is 55-percent contained.

  • Structures Threatened: 410
  • Structures Destroyed: 57 homes, 11 outbuildings
  • Structures Damaged: 3 structures, 2 outbuildings
  • Injuries: 1 fatality, 3 injuries
  • Cause: Illegal Campfire

 

EVACUATION ORDERS: Areas that are under evacuation orders include Coast Rd, south from the 2-mile marker South to Coast Ridge Road on the East side of Hwy 1 to include all areas accessed by these road.

EVACUATION WARNINGS: Areas are under evacuation warnings, West of Hwy 1 at Coast road at the intersection of Andrew Molera State Park to Graves Canyon. Cachagua Road at Nason Road to Trampa Canyon Rd, Cachagua Road from Carmel Valley Road to Tassajara Rd, Tassajara Road from Carmel Valley Road to the Tassajara Hot Springs Zen Center. This area includes all roads that lead from the above described roads.

Residents should prepare to leave the areas listed above and be sure to take any medications, pets, family valuables, etc. with you. Close all windows and leave all doors closed.

All residents are asked to be READY: Create and maintain defensible space and harden your home against flying embers. Get SET: Prepare your family and home ahead of time for the possibility of having to evacuate. Be Ready to GO! Take the evacuation steps necessary to give your family and home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

Evacuation Center: All Saints’ Day School, 8060 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Ca, 93923. (Transitioning to a resource center at 10:00 AM today).

Road Closures:

Coast Rd, Apple Pie Ridge Road, Coast Ridge Road.

Donation Collection Center:

Big Sur State Park Multi-Agency Building, 47555 HWY 1 Big Sur CA 93920
Website: Montereyco.recovers.org
Phone Number: (831)-667-2315

Resources:

  • Engines: 258
  • Hand Crew: 90
  • Helicopters: 19
  • Air Tankers: 6
  • Dozers: 58
  • Water Tenders: 69
  • Total Personnel: 4,508

 

Conditions:

CAL FIRE and the United States Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest remains in unified command.

Fire growth was minimal through the night. Firing operations over the next few days, to secure fire line in the Big Sur area, may necessitate the closure of Hwy 1 at times. Pleas avoid the area if possible.

Pre-planning continues to mitigate potential future threat. Fire continues to burn in steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain. A State of Emergency has been declared by the Governor. Cause of the Soberanes Fire was an illegal campfire. Anyone with information is asked to call the CAL FIRE Tip Line at: (800) 468-4408.

The Damage Inspection Team continues working in collaboration with Monterey County Office of Emergency Services on assessment of damaged structures and infrastructure. A total of 57 residences and 11 outbuildings have been destroyed. Three residences and two outbuildings have been damaged. An Air Resource Advisor is assigned to the incident and is working with local and state air quality officials to analyze the impact the smoke is having on the public.

US FOREST SERVICE TRAIL AND ROAD CLOSURES: A forest closure order has been implemented to close the trails and roads within the Los Padres National Forest, Monterey Ranger District pursuant to USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a). The order prohibits going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Soberanes Fire area. www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf

CALIFORNIA STATE PARK CLOSURES: All California State Parks from Garrapata State Park through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are closed until further notice; which includes Point Sur State Historic Park (Lighthouse), Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground and Day Use. 380 residents have been evacuated along with several road closures listed in the Evacuations section below.

Cooperating Agencies: US Forest Service Los Padres National Forest, California State Parks and Recreation, California Highway Patrol, Monterey County Sheriff, Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District, Red Cross, California Conservation Corps., CAL-OES, California Fish and Wildlife, Carmel Highlands FPD, Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District, Mid-Coast Fire Brigade, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, CSUMB, SPCA, United Way, Pacific Gas and Electric, Monterey Bay Air Resources District, CAL TRANS, Bureau of Land Management, Monterey County EOC.

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.