UPDATE: Coleman Fire now 92% contained
UPDATE 6/10/16 9:12 AM: Fire officials report overall containment of the Coleman Fire at 92%. Over the next couple of days, fire crews will continue working to secure the west side fireline in the Ventana Wilderness and mop up and patrol other areas of the fire.
UPDATE 6/9/16 7:13 AM: Fire officials announced that the Coleman Fire burning in South Monterey County is now 65% contained.
Crews say they’ve made good progress on containment lines on the west and north portions of the fire, including areas in the Ventana Wilderness.
The priority for Thursday and the next several days will be securing and mopping up the fire line on the west side.
UPDATE 6/8/16 7:47 AM: Fire crews have made good progress on the Coleman Fire. Wednesday officials announced that the fire is 41% contained.
UPDATE 6/7/16 6:02 PM: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said road closures and evacuation orders around the Coleman Fire were lifted Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
The county said closures were in effect since June 5 for Reliz Canyon Rd., Pine Canyon Rd. and Hobson Ave.
Restrictions have been lifted because the sheriff’s office said those roads are now safe to drive on. This also means residents who were evacuated are able to return to the area.
Fire officials said the fire is still at 15% containment.
UPDATE: 6/7/16 @ 1:14 AM: Los Padres National Forest/Cal Fire officials confirm the Coleman Fire has decreased to 2,340 acres burned and is currently 15% contained.
UPDATE: 6/6/16 @ 2:15 PM: According to the U.S. Forest Service, containment of the Coleman Fire remains at 10%. Fire crews report making good progress overnight, building fire lines and laying fire hoses. As of 8:00 a.m. Monday, sections along the east and west borders of the fire remain un-lined. A portion of the fire is burning in the Los Padres National Forest, where steep terrain is hampering efforts to build fire lines.
Hot and dry weather is expected Monday, with temperatures in the mid 90s and winds from the northwest. Overnight, temperatures are expected to drop into the mid 50s with humidity reaching into the 30s and low 40s.
UPDATED: 6/5/16 @ 10:34 PM: A wildfire north of Fort Hunter Liggett has burned 3,200 acres and is threatening more than 100 structures, according to the Los Padres National Forest incident page.
At last check, it is 10% percent contained.
It is the beginning of the wild fire season and fire officials say it looks like it will be a long one.
Near King City, helicopters and air tankers are dropping water and retardant while fire crews on the ground try to stop the spread of the Coleman fire west of King City.
“We all have resources out there together to as quickly as possible and safely as possible,” said Peter Harris, the division chief for the Monterey Ranger District for the Los Padres National Forest.
Fire officials told KION, that the massive wildfire started Saturday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. near Fort Hunter Liggett.
“In the Coleman area, which is just north of the Fort Hunter Ligget Boundary, there is some in holdings where there is some private property and it was in that general vicinity that we believe the fire started,” said Cynthia Martinez of the U.S. Fire Service.
Firefighters say very steep, dry and rugged terrain combined with heat and wind has made it difficult to put the fire out.
“We try to stay hydrated and eat, take breaks but continue working you know they’re working very hard out there,” said Harris.
More than 100 buildings are threatened they’ve already issued mandatory and involuntary evacuations, according to fire officials.
“We got a mandatory evacuation about 6 p.m,” said Chuck Schlough who lives near the fire lines.
Reliz Canyon, Pine Canyon and Monroe canyon all received warnings, according to fire officials.
“Take important things out, memorabilia stuff like that,”said Schlough.
The Red Cross has set up an evacuee shelter at Grace Lutheran Church in King City.
“We’d do what we need to make them welcome, comfortable and well taken care of,” said Pastor Ed Bastedo
Fire officials also recommend leaving if you feel like you or your home is in danger. You do not have to wait for an official warning
ORIGINAL STORY:
A wildfire north of Fort Hunter Liggett burned 3,200 acres overnight and is threatening more than 120 structures, according to the Los Padres National Forest incident page.
The “Coleman fire” broke out Saturday at about 2:30 p.m. near Mission Creek and Milpitas road. Evacuations were ordered for Reliz Canyon, Monroe Canyon and the upper Pine Canyon Road just west of King City.
More than 400 firefighters are battling the fire. More resources are being called out to assist.
According to the Los Padres National Forest incident page, the Coleman fire has the potential to spread into the Ventana Wilderness and could grow up to 35,000 acres.
An evacuation center is in place at Grace Lutheran Church at 205 Canal Street in King City.
