Dolan Fire continues to burn over 8,000 acres so far south of Big Sur

BIG SUR, Calif. (KION) The Dolan Fire is currently burning 10 miles south of Big Sur and six miles north of Limekiln State Park along Highway 1.

At least 8,500 acres have already burned as of Friday at zero percent containment.

Over 300 firefighters and personnel are trying to keep the flames from reaching houses along the mountain side. There are plenty of fuels like timber and brush that are keeping the Dolan Fire going.

Along Highway 1 near Burns Creek Bridge, the flames made their way down the hills as firefighters appear to simply let it burn out slowly with an engine trying to check the perimeter to make sure it does not veer off course.

That was the case mostly along the road as the fire inches closer to the highway working its way from south to north.

Monterey County Sheriff's Office deputies made their way down Highway 1 around the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park area where the road was closed to the public down further.

They were issuing new evacuation orders for residents up in the hills.

Further south toward the Esalen Institute, you can see just how much damage the Dolan Fire has caused to the surrounding landscape.

"Pretty shocking. I think, you know, we haven't.. being from Chicago, we haven't really heard the news a lot. You kind of see it on the news here or there. But pretty shocking, and like we were watching the news last night to see how devastating it is and it seems like it's out of proportion to what's been happening historically lately," said Davlyn Tillman, who was visiting from Chicago.

The fire is burning on private, state and federal lands, including the Ventana Wilderness. Dolan still threatens Parington Ridge, Big Sur and Lucia, where multiple businesses, communications equipment and parks are in danger of being damaged.