Carmel Fire that destroyed 73 structures in 2020 caused by dragging chains

CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. (KION)  UPDATE August 10, 2022, at 1:51 p.m.- Monterey County Regional Fire Department has determined the cause of a 2020 fire that began in the Carmel Valley that destroyed 73 structures.

"We have had plenty of fires throughout the years in Monterey County that have been caused by chains in fact, the Carmel Fire was caused by that, so it can happen," according to Monterey County Regional Fire Department.

The fire started in Aug. of 2020 and burned 6,905 acres before it was considered 100% contained on Sept. 4.

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UPDATE: After reporting that the Carmel Fire that burned in Carmel Valley was started by a vehicle, Cal Fire has changed the listed cause back to unknown.

PREVIOUS STORY: Cal Fire has released the cause of the Carmel Fire that first began in August.

The agency said it was caused by a vehicle. KION has reached out to Cal Fire for more details. Cachagua Fire initially suspected that the fire was started by sparks coming from a vehicle.

The Carmel Fire started on Aug. 18 near Cachagua Road and Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley. It burned 6,905 acres before it was considered 100% contained on Sept. 4.

Cal Fire reports that 73 structures were destroyed and 7 were damaged.