Dolan Fire Contained To 15% As Crews Defend Structures

BIG SUR, CA — The Big Sur Dolan Fire was marching in all directions over the weekend, but fire crews managed to gain a 15% containment, an improvement from Monday. Immensely Improved weather and air conditions afforded firefighters a better shot at controlling the 20,091 burn Tuesday.

Evacuations have been issued from Partington Ridge to Lucia as well as some evacuations in the Monterey and Carmel areas.

Communities near the fires may see heavier smoke while areas south of Ragged Point may see improved air quality due to winds blowing south, according to the Los Padres National Forest.

Last week, firefighters were working in near unbearable air quality in Big Sur last week that grounded air resources. As the smoke cleared over the weekend, firefighters were able to gain 10% containment over the Dolan Fire early Monday.

More than 500 firefighters worked overnight Sunday to hold the fire line from reaching structures in small northern Big Sur communities of Lucia, Morning Glory and Partington, which is were some containment was achieved.

The fire, which started Aug. 18, is smoldering north of Limekiln State Park Highway 1 and 10 miles South of Big Sur. Big Sur State Parks are closed due to the fires.

Last week, Fresno man Ivan Gomez was accused of arson in connection to the fire. He is currently in custody but the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported although some structures have been destroyed in the wilderness.

"Lord knows these fires to the north have burned down a lot of houses so we're doing our best to protect the communities here," said Andrew Madsen, spokesperson for the Los Padres National Forest.

The forest's rugged terrain has proven to be a strenuous challenge for fire crews, with steep mountainous embankments and dry areas that haven't seen fires in many years, Madsen said previously.

Monday, crews were focusing on protecting the fire from marching further north, west and south. Crews were also facing the threat of rolling rocks and poison oak inhalation as the plant burns rampantly through the mountains.

#DolanFire burned the Condor Sanctuary last night, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Condor facilities can be rebuilt and nothing is stopping us from continuing to restore condors to the wild. Please consider a donation for the rebuild effort https://t.co/gatPjcnd0e pic.twitter.com/zHKBoaCrqR
— Ventana Wildlife Soc (@Ventana_WS) August 22, 2020

"The fire was starting to push over the North Coast Ridge Road," Madsen said. "If it gets over there into the wilderness we'll lose control and have to helicopter people in — we don't want that."

Although ash was raining down over Monterey County Monday morning the smoke that shrouded the Los Padres National Forest last week had significantly dissipated, bringing crews some relief.

"Smoke did let up in the last two days so we've been able to use helicopters for water drops," Madsen said. "On the other hand the smoke was keeping the direct sunlight muted."

Madsen added that one big concern is keeping the fire from reaching Anderson Peak, an area that maintains critical communication equipment for commercial flights.

The fire is also a threat to national resources such as the Ventana Wilderness and coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, according to the Los Padres National Forest.

Currently, CalFire, the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department are working the frontlines of the fire.

Evacuations:

• Highway 1 at Anderson Canyon (Post mile 35) North to: Highway 1 at Torre Canyon (Post mile 39) West of Highway 1 to Pacific Ocean East Highway 1 to North Coast Ridge Rd. To include Partington Ridge Road.
• Highway 1 at Nacimiento Ferguson Road. (Post mile 19) North to: Highway 1 at Anderson Canyon (Post mile 35) West of Highway 1 to Pacific Ocean East of Highway 1 to North Coast Ridge Road. And Cone Peak Road
• Highway 1 at Nacimiento Ferguson Road. (Post mile 19) North to: Highway 1 at Torre Canyon (Post mile 39) West of Highway 1 to Pacific Ocean East Highway 1 to North Coast Ridge Road./Cone Peak Road. to include Partington Ridge Road.
• Highway 1 from Partington Ridge Road south to Nacimiento Ferguson Road. This includes Esalen Institute and Dolan Ridge Road.
• Limekiln State Park
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• Lucia
• Big Creek Reserve

SEE ALSO: Man Accused Of Arson In Connection To Big Sur Dolan Fire