Soberanes Fire Setback: Containment Date Extended

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – A Monterey County wildfire that has burned through more than 132,000 acres since July was estimated to reach full containment today, but the date has been pushed back by two weeks, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Soberanes Fire has grown to 132,069 acres in Los Padres National Forest and surrounding areas, with containment at 92 percent as of this morning, fire officials said.

The widespread fire was expected to be 100 percent contained today, but personnel monitoring the blaze have pushed back the date to Oct. 15, according to fire officials.

Officials on Thursday called the containment progress - from 81 percent on Tuesday to 92 percent on Thursday -- a "milestone."

"After 70 days of fighting and living with the Soberanes Fire, reaching 92 percent containment represents a remarkable degree of success for firefighters and the community," the agency said.

However, expected containment dates are only an estimate.

Crews were challenged early on by difficult terrain and fast-moving flames, but in the past week favorable weather conditions have allowed them to directly attack the blaze, Central Coast Interagency Incident
Management Team spokesman Rick Barton said.

Firefighters will be challenged in the next few days by a dry, cold front that can lead to highs winds and possibly increase fire activity.

But Barton said he doesn't expect the flames will threaten containment lines.

"It's going to be a test for us, but fortunately every day we've made more and more progress," he said.

The Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team, in conjunction with cooperating agencies of the Soberanes Fire, will host a community meeting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. at the Arroyo Seco Fire Station and Community Center, 46700 Arroyo Road, Greenfield. A current update will be given about the fire and questions will be answered.

The fire has been burning for 70 days since it began with an illegal campfire on July 22 at Soberanes Creek in Garrapata State Park, south of Carmel Highlands, fire officials said.

The blaze has claimed the life of bulldozer operator Robert Oliver Reagan and injured eight firefighters, according to fire officials.

The fire has destroyed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings and continues to threaten 410 structures, fire officials said.

About 1,162 firefighters are working to contain the fire. Some of them have also suffered from dehydration, heat-related issues, reactions to bee stings and other ailments, Barton said.

Once the fire is fully contained groups will be sent to assess the damage and clean up the affected areas, but there will still be flare-ups and smoke in the weeks to come, he said.

"The fire is not out and won't be out until there's a season ending event which is rain," Barton said.

Other fire updates this week from the Bay Area:

• Discarded Cigarette Possible Cause Of Fire That Demolished 4 Homes, Damaged 10 Others, Injured 2, Killed Cat
• Sawmill Fire Hits 100% Containment In Sonoma County
• Loma Fire Latest: Scorched Acreage Expands To 4,313; Containment Holds At 34%
• 18-Acre Grass Fire Burning In Novato
• Iron Horse Trail Arson Suspect Sought For Setting Trail Fires
• Tuesday's Closure Of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Made For Nightmarish Commutes In North Bay
• Teen Playing With Matches Catches Marin Co. Home, Trees On Fire
• Crews Contain 12-Acre Blaze Near Greenfield
• Lockhart Gulch Road Fire: Fully Contained in Scotts Valley

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via USFS Fire-California ‏@R5_Fire_News: 1. Firefighters throwing hose in steep terrain near Church Ranch, working toward containment of the #SoberanesFire; 2. Evaluating potential sediment erosion on slopes above Los Padres Reservoir.