Soberanes Fire Cost At $208 Million, With 71% Containment After 2 Months

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – An expansive wildfire that has burned for nearly two months near Big Sur in Monterey County has cost an estimated $208 million, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

As of this morning, the Soberanes Fire near Big Sur was 71 percent contained and grown to 121,050 acres, Forest Service spokesman John DeYoe said.

The blaze has amounted to an estimated $208.4 million in firefighting expenses and the total is expected to change every morning, DeYoe said.

The fire has killed one person, a privately contracted bulldozer operator, and injured seven other people since it began July 22 with an illegal campfire at Garrapata State Park, fire officials said.

There are 2,020 firefighters working to extinguish the blaze, which is expected to reach full containment by Sept. 30, according to DeYoe.

Crews battled a 200-acre spot fire that broke out at Chews Ridge between Tassarajara and East Carmel Valley roads around 8 p.m. Monday, when wind speeds changed direction and caused embers to fly over the containment line, fire officials said.

Crews using air and ground resources in battling the spot fire that didn't grow overnight, DeYoe said.

The spot fire has led to two new evacuations orders in the area in addition to evacuation warnings for others nearby, he said.

Many other evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for other communities within the fire area, fire officials said.

Crews are concerned that warmer weather conditions forecasted can increase fire danger because of lower fuel moisture and humidity levels, DeYoe said.

Firefighters are continuing to conduct burn operations and are focusing on keeping people safe from the blaze, according to DeYoe.

The public is advised to check local air quality advisories prompted by smoke from the fire and to take any necessary precautions, especially children, elderly people and those with respiratory issues, DeYoe
said.

• Also see: Tickets On Sale For 'Red Cross Farm to Table Dinner 2016' - fundraiser for Central Coast Red Cross.

Previous Soberanes Fire coverage:

• Roughly 1,475 Firefighters Still At Scene Of 91K-Acre Soberanes Fire [UPDATE]
• Soberanes Fire: Smoke Expected To Drift Over Weekend
• Soberanes Fire Day 32: Some Evacuations Lifted; Containment Hopes Are For End Of September
• Day 30 Of Soberanes Fire: Full Containment Now Projected By End Of September [UPDATE]
• Beastly Soberanes Fire Grows Even Larger: Day 29
• Soberanes Fire Update: Bigger Still With 79K Acres Consumed On Day 28
• Soberanes Fire Latest: Day 27 With Scorched Terrain Expanding Overnight By Roughly 700 Acres
• Soberanes Fire Grows To More Than 76K Acres; Hwy 1 Reopens -- For Now
• Soberanes Fire: Hwy 1 Closure Extended
• Hwy 1 Stretch To Close Sunday Due To Soberanes Fire
• Soberanes Fire Day 21: Possible Closure Of Hwy 1 Looms [UPDATE]
• Soberanes Fire Day 20: Containment Holding Steady At 50%
• Soberanes Fire Day 19: Burned Acreage Grows Overnight; Containment Advances To 50% [UPDATE]
• Nestless and Rescued: Firefighter Uses Coffee Cup To Save Baby Bird From Smoky Soberanes Fire
• Clint Eastwood Visits Firefighters Battling Soberanes Fire
• Two Injured in Massive Soberanes Fire

--Bay City News/Images via CAL FIRE