Soberanes Fire Day 19: Burned Acreage Grows Overnight; Containment Advances To 50% [UPDATE]

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – A wildland fire burning since last month in Monterey County climbed by more than 6,000 acres between Monday night and this morning, according to Cal Fire.

The Soberanes Fire north of Big Sur has extended to 67,092 acres and is heading south toward Big Sur Creek and Double Cone, Cal Fire officials said.

The blaze began July 22 with an illegal campfire at Garrapata State Park and investigators are looking to speak with anyone who saw something in the area, Cal Fire officials said.

There are 4,815 firefighters working to extinguish the blaze burning through steep, rugged land. The fire is 50 percent contained, with full containment estimated by the end of the month, Cal Fire officials said.

• Related: Nestless and Rescued: Firefighter Uses Coffee Cup To Save Baby Bird From Smoky Soberanes Fire

Carmel-by-the-Sea and other communities north of the fire are expected to experience moderate levels of smoke today. Big Sur and Carmel Valley are expected to have unhealthy amounts of smoke, according to Cal
Fire.

A private contractor, 35-year-old Fresno County resident Robert Oliver Reagan III, died battling the fire when he was operating a bulldozer that overturned on him two weeks ago, according to Cal Fire.

The fire has also led to three injuries that weren't considered life-threatening, agency officials said.

Evacuation orders have been issued for 461 residents east of state Highway 1 from Coast Road at Bixby Bridge to Coast Ridge Road, fire officials said.

An evacuation center has been set up at All Saints' Day School at 8060 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel-by-the-Sea, according to Cal Fire. Many residents have been warned of possible evacuations in an area including Cachagua Road from Nason to Trampa Canyon roads and Tassajara Road from Carmel Valley Road to the Tassajara Hot Springs Zen Center, according to Cal Fire.

The number of structures threatened by the blaze has decreased to 410. The flames have destroyed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings, Cal Fire officials said. Three structures and two outbuildings have been damaged by the
blaze, according to Cal Fire.

• Also see: Clint Eastwood Visits Firefighters Battling Soberanes Fire

The area remains under a state of emergency issued by the governor four days after the fire started, Cal Fire officials said.

Closures are in effect at trails and roads at Los Padres National Forest and state parks in the area, according to Cal Fire.

Anyone with information regarding the cause of the fire is asked to call the Cal Fire tip line at (800) 468-4408.

• Also see: Cold Fire Day 8: Major Advances With 90% Containment [UPDATE]

Previous Soberanes Fire Coverage:

• Two Injured in Massive Soberanes Fire
• Dry Weather Causes Soberanes Fire to Spread
• UPDATED: Soberanes Fire Grows to 43,400 Acres, 18% Contained
• PG&E Crews to Begin Rebuilding Infrastructure Damaged by Soberanes Fire
• UPDATE: Soberanes Fire Grows to 40,000 Acres, 18% Contained
• Soberanes Fire Latest: Bulldozer Operator Identified, 31,386 Acres Burned
• Soberanes Fire Latest: Identity Of Bulldozer Operator Who Died Is Released, Community Meeting Set
• Soberanes Fire Latest: Fatality Reported, New Evacuation Orders
• Soberanes Fire Latest: Monterey County Fire Has Burned 19,311 Acres, Remains 10 Percent Contained
• Soberanes Fire: Monterey County Blaze Grows, State Parks Shut Down
• Monterey County Fire Has Burned 6,500 Acres; Only 5 Percent Contained

--Bay City News/Image courtesy of CAL FIRE on Facebook