Monterey County Fire Has Burned 6,500 Acres; Only 5 Percent Contained

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA - Cal Fire officials said a Monterey County wildfire that has burned 6,500 acres was five percent contained Saturday evening.

Cal Fire reported on Twitter at 6:19 p.m. that the 6.500-acre Soberanes Fire that started Friday morning east of Soberanes Creek is threatening 1,000 structures and has forced evacuations.

Evacuations got under way Friday night for residents near Palo Colorado Road.Palo Colorado Road is closed, as well as Weston Ridge Road and areas around Garrapata Creek, according to Monterey County sheriff's officials.

An evacuation center is open at Carmel Middle School at 4380 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel-By-The-Sea.

Fire and law enforcement officials have also issued a warning to residents of the unincorporated community of Carmel Highlands to be prepared to evacuate if an order is issued. Residents should be prepared to leave their homes immediately if the warning is upgraded to a voluntary evacuation order, according to Monterey County officials.

Residents should be prepared to take, among other items, medication, pets and family valuables.

The fire started at 8:48 a.m. Friday and was first reported in an area about five miles south of Garrapata State Park, Cal Fire officials said.

About 1,650 structures are threatened and one has been destroyed. No injuries have been reported, Cal Fire Division Chief Jim Crawford said.

Firefighters are working to protect the threatened homes and contain the fire, according to Crawford.

Cal Fire spokesman Capt. Lucas Spelman could not provide an estimate of when the fire will be contained. He said because of low humidity and the drought the fire is burning a large amount of dead trees and brush more quickly and hotter than last year, so it's taking a little longer to contain them.

Cal Fire officials are encouraging homeowners to create and maintain space between their home and the forest to prevent the fire from getting to their home.

For more information about the fire, Monterey County residents can call the Soberanes Fire information line at (831) 204-0446 or visit Cal Fire online at fire.ca.gov.

-Bay City News, images via Cal Fire