Several Homes Burned, Evacuations Ordered in 769 Acre Wildfire In Big Sur

Firefighters said the fire in Big Sur is 20 percent contained as of Tuesday evening and, weather permitting, they hope to have full containment by Friday evening.

As of now, the fire has burned 796 acres and more than a dozen homes. Authorities ordered more than a hundred evacuations.

The wildfire started after midnight Sunday in the vicinity of Pfeiffer Ridge in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest.

By Monday afternoon mandatory evacuations had been ordered for residents in the area of Sycamore Canyon, Clear Ridge and Pfeiffer Ridge. Officials also evacuated Captain Cooper Elementary School as a precaution.

Fire officials said helicopters and tankers were being used to battle the flames from the air. CalFire is assisting Los Padres National Forest and the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, along with other government agencies.

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 you should still expect delays.