Soberanes Fire: Containment at 81% With 128,300 Acres Consumed

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – Due to recent favorable weather, including increases in relative humidity, the Soberanes Fire incident management team directly attacked the fire over the weekend, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman said.

Firefighters are constructing a containment line directly on the fire perimeter.

On Saturday, crews maintained and improved the line around the Chews Ridge spot fire, spokeswoman Jennifer Gray said.

Crews will continue to mop up that area and the spot fire near Arroyo Seco. Aircraft worked to cool the area on Saturday, Gray said.

Currently the most active fire area is near Church Ranch, just west of Tassajara Road.

Firefighters were preparing to protect the Tassajara Zen Center if fire should reach that area.

This approach is often the safest tactic, it burns a minimal area and the uncertainties of firing operations can be reduced, spokeswoman Gray said.

However, firefighters can be hampered by heat, smoke and flames, control lines can be long and irregular and burning material can spread.

Direct attack on a fire can only be initiated when escape routes and safety zones are available, and more patrol is usually required, Gray said.

Since the fire began on July 22 in Garrapata State Park, eight people have been injured and a bulldozer operator has died.

An illegal campfire started the blaze, which has destroyed 57 homes, burned 128,380 acres and cost an estimated $208 million.

The fire is 81 percent contained as of this morning. Full containment is expected by Sept. 30.

Also see:

• Loma Fire: Santa Cruz Mountain Wildfire Surges To 1,000 Acres
• Sawmill Fire Holds At 1,500 Acres; Containment Improves To 45%
• Lockhart Gulch Road Fire: Fully Contained in Scotts Valley
• Cambridge Fire: Marin Co. Blaze Is At 75% Containment

--Bay City News/Images courtesy of Dixon Professional Firefighters Association - IAFF Local 4665 assisting at the blaze