Soberanes Fire: Hwy 1 Closure Extended

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – A closure today through a portion of state Highway 1 in Monterey County due to hazardous trees in the Soberanes Fire area has been extended to the end of the day, according to Cal Fire officials.

The closure is on Highway 1 from Ripplewood Café at 47047 Highway 1 to North Coast Ridge Road is expected to continue through the rest of Monday. The roadway is scheduled to reopen early Tuesday after midnight.

Lanes were initially expected to reopen at 5 p.m.

The Soberanes Fire has burned through 74,604 acres and was 60 percent contained as of this evening, with full containment estimated by the end of the month, Cal Fire officials said.

There are 4,102 firefighters working to extinguish the fire, which has killed a private contractor operating a bulldozer and injured three other workers, according to Cal Fire.

The closure may change depending on the threat to firefighters and public safety workers, Cal Fire officials said. Personnel are also working to restring power lines and telephone lines, according to Cal Fire.

The blocked freeway is expected to affect all traffic, including residents, Cal Fire officials said.

The large wildfire has destroyed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings. It has also damaged three structures and two outbuildings, according to Cal Fire.

The fire is also threatening 410 structures in areas west of Highway 1 where Coast Road meets Andrew Molera State Park to Grave Canyon in addition to Tassajara Road from Carmel Valley Road to Tassajara Hot Springs
Zen Center, Cal Fire officials said.

The fire started on July 22 with an abandoned, illegal campfire at Soberanes Creek at Garrapata State Park. Anyone who was in the area on that day and saw something is asked to call the Cal Fire tip line at (800)
468-4408.

Also see:

• Good News: Santa Clara Co.'s Oak Fire At 100% Containment
• Clayton Fire Keeps Growing; Containment Still 5% [UPDATE]

Previous coverage of Soberanes:

• 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]

--Bay City News/Cal Fire image