Big Sur – The Soberanes Fire is burning out of control south of Carmel and Point Lobos, forcing evacuations in Carmel Highlands and the Palo Colorado Canyon area.
The wildland fire had consumed more than 10,000 acres by Sunday morning, and is just 5 percent contained, Cal Fire reported. The cause is under investigation.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. reported that 1,114 customers from south of Carmel Highlands to Big Sur were without power.
Saturday afternoon, fire and law enforcement issued an evacuation warning for the Carmel Highlands area south of Carmel and near Point Lobos. Palo Colorado Canyon residents were ordered to evacuate Friday night. The fire is threatening 1,650 structures. One outbuilding has been destroyed, Cal Fire said.
In Salinas, Toro Regional Park is closed starting Sunday and is being used as as home base camp for Cal Fire crews.
There are 780 firefighters battling the blaze, which put up a huge plume of smoke, said Lucas Felman, public information officer for Cal Fire. Eight helicopters, six air tankers, 15 bulldozers and 21 handcrews are battling the fire.
As of 6 p.m. Saturday, there were no reports of injuries, Felman said.
“It’s still burning rapidly,” he said of the fire, which was reported at 8:30 a.m. Friday east of Sobranes Creek in the Santa Lucia Range. “We’ll have to see what it does at nightfall,” Felman said. “We’re not having much marine layer coming in. That’s not slowing the fire like it usually would.”
With five years of drought, the fire has an abundance of fuel. “With everything that’s happened, it’s just burning like it would in the later time of the year, in September and October,” Felman said.
He said winds have been ramping up at night, causing the fire to continue burning and spreading. Fire authorities have closed Palo Colorado Road and Western Ridge Road at Highway 1.
Carmel Highlands residents were encouraged to be prepared to leave the area. They were advised to take any medications, pets and family valuables with them if ordered to evacuate.
A Red Cross Shelter is open at Carmel Middle School, and the Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey County is on hand to assist with pets. The SPCA was giving out addresses of pet-friendly hotels in Monterey County as well as pet food and food and water bowls Saturday.
Nine cats, some snakes and a gecko were being housed for Palo Colorado residents at the SPCA, said Lisa A. Hoefler, director of operations.
Dennis Alexander, manager of the Red Cross Shelter, said the shelter opened about 10 p.m. Friday. Cots were set up in the gymnasium. He said about 30 people signed in to stay the night but signed out in the morning.
“As long as the shelter is needed we’ll be here,” Alexander said. “It’s been a meeting place for people, for them to rest and get snacks.”
At 2:15 p.m. Saturday no one had checked in.
“We’re trying to get (Red Cross) staffing for the next several days,” Alexander said. They will be working 12-hour shifts. “We just have to wait and see how many people check in tonight,” he said. “People have been very nice about offering services and a place to stay. It’s been very eye-opening.”
A few Palo Colorado residents were outside the shelter Saturday afternoon.
“Within three hours it (the fire) was out of control and people were fleeing for their lives,” said Oliver Bates.
Bates said residents were upset about slow and inaccurate information about the fire. He said residents are camping out along Highway 1 until they can return to their homes.
“There are still people up there protecting their homes,” said Andi Elder, a 23-year Big Sur resident. She said the mandatory evacuation order was issued between 9:45 and 10 p.m. Friday, and that there was little time to gather property and pets together.
“From our house, from the deck, the planes were coming in very low,” Elder said.
Brock Bradford, who lives in a historic house in Palo Colorado, said he evacuated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. “I saw fire coming down Murrey Grade,” he said. “I hope I don’t have to rebuild my house. I’m 66.”
