Structures Threatened: Monterey County Fire Evacuations Ordered

MONTEREY COUNTY - Evacuations have been ordered and structures are in the path of a 3,000-acre wildfire burning Saturday night in Monterey County west of King City, Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service spokespersons said.

The Coleman Fire was first reported at 2:50 p.m. on the north side of Fort Hunter Liggett, a U.S. Army fort, Cal Fire spokesman Capt. John Spooner said.

The fire spread into the Los Padres National Forest and into property that Cal Fire has the responsibility for protecting.

People who live along Reliz Canyon Road and the upper part of Pine Canyon Road are evacuating, but it's not clear whether those are mandatory or voluntary, Spooner said.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Paula Martinez said no structures are immediately threatened but the fire is spreading toward homes and ranches.

Because the area is remote, getting out will take people some time, she said.

The cause is under investigation.

The fire has the potential to grow to more than 10,000 acres.

-Bay City News, image via Los Padres National Forest Service