Dolan Fire reaches 90% containment, but high winds and heat pose a threat
The Dolan Fire is nearing full containment, but high winds and triple-digit heat pose a threat to firefighters’ progress.
As of Thursday, the wildfire near Big Sur had reached 124,934 acres and was 90% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
All evacuation orders were lifted in the Dolan Fire area last week. However, one evacuation warning — affecting the area from Santa Lucia Road to Del Venture Road and Road 5 to Reliz Canyon — remained in place, according to the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.
Highway 1 was fully reopened, according to Caltrans.
However, Los Padres National Forest remained closed to visitors, the Forest Service said.
While containment significantly increased in recent weeks, a large plume of smoke could be seen rising near the south end of the fire.
The Forest Service said a “green island” within the fire perimeter began burning Tuesday near Nacimiento Fergusson Road and continued to actively burn 500 acres Thursday morning.
As of Wednesday evening, a Red Flag warning was in effect due to increasing winds and another heat wave, according to the release.
“Weather is the current threat for crews,” the release said.
Winds in lower elevations were expected to reach 20 mph, and along the ridges, winds could get up to 40 mph, according to the Forest Service.
The Red Flag warning was expected to last through Friday evening.
As of Thursday, the Forest Service reported that 492 firefighters were working to contain the flames.
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Dolan Fire reaches 90% containment, but high winds and heat pose a threat."
