Dolan Fire continues to spread as firefighters launch burn operation to prevent growth
Firefighters are working on a multi-day burn operation to prevent the Dolan Fire near Big Sur from spreading further to the east and south, according to the Forest Service.
The Dolan Fire has now reached 122,178 acres, spreading more than 2,600 acres since Tuesday morning.
The wildfire, which is believed to have been started by arson Aug. 18, has destroyed 19 structures, damaged four others and displaced many people who live in the area.
On Wednesday, 758 firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service, Fort Hunter-Liggett and Cal Fire were working to improve containment, which has remained at 40% for several days, according to the Forest Service.
Burn operations from Prewitt Ridge to Highway 1 through the Pacific Valley and from Prewitt Ridge to McKern Road began Tuesday, according to the Forest Service.
The Forest Service said it anticipates the operation will take several days depending on weather conditions. Winds are expected to shift from southerly winds to north westerly winds, which might blow the fire further east, the Forest Service reported.
While some crews work on containment lines, Cal Fire and structure protection crews were working in the Arroyo Secco and Tassajara areas, according to the Forest Service.
Cal Fire and Fort Hunter-Liggett dozers were expected to construct a fire line from Arroyo Seco to the 2008 Indian Fire burn scar along Paloa Ridge and Pine Canyon. According to the Forest Service, the lines will be available if a burnout is needed in the area, however a burn operation near Arroyo Seco was not planned for Wednesday.
Helicopters were also helping with extinguishing efforts by cooling hot spots, the Forest Service said.
Evacuation warnings and orders remain for some communities
The Partington, Big Creek and North Lucia areas were no longer under evacuation warnings as of Tuesday, according to the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.
South Lucia’s evacuation order was reduced to an evacuation warning Tuesday, according to Monterey County. However, hot spots have been detected in the area, the county’s map showed.
Prewitt Ridge, South Coast Ridge, Zone 26, Zone 24 and Zone 28 remained under evacuation orders.
An evacuation order was also issued for Zone 27, from Santa Lucia Road south to Del Venture Road and from Road 5 to Reliz Canyon.
Evacuation warnings remained in place for Fort Hunter-Liggett, Gorda, Salmon Creek, Zone 14 West, Zone 25 and Zone 29.
Highway 1 remained closed from Gorda to Sycamore Draw Bridge, according to Caltrans.
For updated information, visit the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services’ Dolan Fire Evacuation Zones map.
To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events in Monterey County, sign up for A!ert Monterey County.
Additional volunteer and donation information can be found at MontereyCo.Recovers.org.
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Dolan Fire continues to spread as firefighters launch burn operation to prevent growth."
