Immediate Evacuations Issued For Carmel And River Fires

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — Based on forecasted high winds and dry lightning storms that could impact the River and Carmel Fires in the next several days, new evacuation warnings and orders were issued Saturday as fires inched closer to Carmel Valley.

By Saturday night, the Carmel Fire had burned 6,695 acres near Cachagua Road and Carmel Valley Road, south of Carmel, and was 7 percent contained. The River Fire, near Pine Canyon and River Road, east of Salinas, had scorched 44,987 acres with 12 percent containment.

Both fires have threatened nearly 10,000 structures with the River Fire destroying 16 structures and the Carmel Fire destroying 32, according to Cal Fire.

"A significant weather change is expected with a low pressure system moving up the coast of California," Cal Fire said in its Saturday morning update. "This will bring a shift in winds from the northwest to the southeast."

Due to fires such as the Big Sur Dolan Fire burning in the Los Padres National Forest and multiple large scale fires burning in Santa Cruz, officials are asking residents to avoid Highway 1 and instead use U.S. 101 southbound.

Earlier in the week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he had secured federal support from the president's Disaster Relief Fund to help battle the Carmel and River fires. Newsom announced Saturday that the White House had approved his request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to strengthen the state’s emergency response to wildfires burning across. Northern California.

Here's a map of the latest evacuation map for those impacted by the River and Carmel Fires.

Evacuation Centers:

For those affected by the Carmel Fire, an evacuation center was set up at Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA and King City Library 402 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930.

For those affected by the River Fire, An Evacuation Center was opened at Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA and King City Library 402 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930.

Evacuation Shelters:

An Evacuation Shelter was opened at Carmel Middle School in Carmel and is open 24 hours. The school has the capacity to provide meals and sleeping accommodations for up to 20 people.

Animals:

Households with pets or farm animals are advised to call SPCA Monterey County for assistance at 831-264-5455.