450 Acre Wildfire Burning in Big Sur, Mandatory Evacuations Ordered
NOON UPDATE: A wildfire started around midnight in the vicinity of Pfeiffer Ridge in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. The fire has burned between 400 to 500 acres and residents living in the homes on Pfeiffer Ridge Road have been evacuated. The following road closures are currently in place: Sycamore Canyon Road to Pfeiffer State Beach Pfeiffer Ridge Road and River End to Pfeiffer Ridge Road.
BIG SUR, Calif. — Firefighters are battling a vegetation fire in Big Sur, near Pfeiffer Ridge and Highway One.
Fire officials say over 300 acres have burned. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for residents in the area of Sycamore Canyon, Clear Ridge and Pfeiffer Ridge. Officials are also evacuating Captain Cooper Elementary School as a precaution.
About 130 firefighters were either on scene or responding to the fire, including 13 engines, six crews and one bulldozer. Fire officials say helicopters and tankers are being used to battle the flames from the air. CalFire is assisting the Los Padres National Forest and the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, along with other local government agencies responding.
Smoke and haze from the Pfeiffer Fire can be seen all over the Monterey Peninsula. Several homes have already been destroyed in this fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no injuries have been reported.
The California Highway Patrol has not yet closed Highway 1 but they are monitoring fire conditions. The fire is currently burning westward, if the wind switches to the east, CHP said they would close the highway.
