As firefighters make progress on the Timber Fire in Big Sur, Monterey County officials have eased evacuation restrictions in some parts of the area.
Three zones, RY-F023, MRY-F025 and MRY-F026, have been downgraded to evacuation warnings, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
As of 1:58 p.m. on Aug. 18, the Timber Fire in Big Sur had scorched 5,269 acres and was 21% contained, according to a Cal Fire status report.
The wildfire began “in a remote location with difficult access” at about 9:38 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, burning about 100 acres, the Los Padres National Forest said in a Facebook post. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
“Fire activity remained minimal overnight, and containment lines continue to hold,” Cal Fire said. Fire crews are strengthening containment lines along the southern portion of the fire near Partington Ridge and removing debris along Highway 1.
“Firefighters will continue holding the fire south of the Big Sur River and along the Ventana Wilderness to the east,” fire officials said.
Nearly 2,000 personnel have been assigned to the Timber Fire. Aviation resources play an important role in helping “slow fire spread and strength containment efforts,” Cal Fire officials stated in a Facebook post.
As of the 8 a.m. Aug. 18, firefighting aircraft have delivered 419,000 gallons of retardant and 197,000 gallons of water to fight the blaze.
Timber Fire evacuations
Evacuation orders are in place for the following zones: MRY-F027, MRY-F028-A
Evacuation warnings have been issued for the areas of: MRY-F021-B, MRY-F022, MRY-F023, MRY-F024, MRY-F025 and MRY-F026, MRY-F028-B, MRY-F029
An emergency shelter has been set up at Carmel Middle School for those displaced by the fire.
Timber Fire road closures
Highway 1 is closed due to the Timber Fire. The closure extends from south of Alila Ventana Resort and Post Ranch Inn, (Mile Marker 44.5) in the north to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point (Mile Post Marker 37) in the south, according to the California Highway Patrol, Monterey.
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This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Big Sur Timber Fire evacuation orders eased as crews gain ground
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian | USA TODAY Network
