Carmel Fire containment jumps to 98%, showing no growth

CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 9/2/2020 6:30 p.m. The Carmel Fire is still at 6,905 acres and 98% contained.

UPDATE 8/31/2020 6:45 p.m. The Carmel Fire is still 6,905 acres, but containment has grown to 98%.

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

UPDATE 8/31/20 7:00 a.m. The Carmel Fire is at 6,905 acres with 97% containment.

UPDATE 8/30/20 7:37 p.m. Fire officials are now saying the Carmel Fire is at least 94% contained as of Sunday night. The fire has maintained a steady acreage number at 6,905.

UPDATE 8/29/20 7:35 p.m. - Fire officials report minimal growth for the Carmel Fire as of Saturday night, with the fire burning 6,905 acres. It is now 86 percent contained.

Cal Fire says: "Firefighting efforts along with improved weather conditions continue to reduce fire activity. Firefighting crews continue to patrol and mop up inside the fires perimeter."

"No new fire growth was observed. Change in acreage is due to improved mapping data. Smoldering will be observed within the containment lines. These will continue to burn and will not pose a threat as long as it remains within the containment area. Firefighting resources are beginning to return to their respected Units or reassigned to other incidents."

UPDATE 8/28/20- Containment has grown to 71 percent as the acreage remained the same for the Carmel Fire.

UPDATE 8/27/20 7 p.m. - No growth is being reported for the Carmel Fire Thursday night, but containment increases and all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.

The fire has burned 6,767 acres and is 65 percent contained.

Cal Fire writes in their latest incident report: "smoldering will be observed within the containment lines. This will continue to burn and will not pose a threat as long as it remains within the containment area."

Firefighters are using Infrared technology to find and extinguish "hidden fires."

Residents can visit "commodity point of distribution" sites for things like comfort kits, Personal Protective Equipment and bottled water.

They are set up at:

• Greenfield Memorial Hall, 615 El Camino Real, Greenfield
• Carmel Valley Village near the Chevron Station
• The intersection of Tassajara and Carmel Valley Roads
• Open 8:00am – 4:00pm through Friday, August 28th

UPDATE 8/27/2020 7:00 a.m. The Carmel Fire has grown to 6,767 acres and is 60% contained.

UPDATE 8/26/2020 7:15 p.m. The Carmel Fire has remained at 6,695 acres, but containment has grown to 55%.

More evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday, but Sheriff Steve Bernal said more work still needs to be done in parts of Zone 7. There has not been any significant activity, and Cal Fire has lines around the perimeter. Now, utilities are returning normalcy to the interior of the burn area as crews mop up.

Damage assessment has finished, and a total of 7 structures were damaged and 73 were destroyed.

The fire is expected to be fully contained by Sept. 6.

UPDATE: 8/26/20 8:00 a.m.-- The Carmel Fire is at 6,695 Acres with 45% containment.

Expected Full Containment is 9/06/2020.

UPDATE: 8/25/20 8 p.m. -

Tuesday was described as a successful day fighting the Carmel Fire.

"Fire behavior was reduced today with the inflow of marine air on the fire.
Firefighters work aggressively through the day taking advantage of the favorable weather," Cal Fire wrote in their incident update.

The size of the fire remained the same for a third straight day - 6,695 acres, but containment has increased to 40%.

There is still smoldering, but Cal Fire says it is not a threat as long as it remains inside of their containment lines.

While there has been good news on the firefight, more impacted structures and homes are being discovered.

With damage inspection about 90% complete:

• Single Residences: 6 Damaged, 50 Destroyed
• Other Minor Structures: 1 Damaged, 23 Destroyed

UPDATE 8/25/2020 12:15 p.m. The Carmel Fire burning in Carmel Valley is now up to 30% contained, according to the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.

Acreage has not grown and remains at 6,695.

UPDATE 8/24/2020 7:30 p.m. The Carmel Fire burning in Carmel Valley has grown in containment, but not acreage.

The fire has burned 6,695 acres, but it is currently 20% contained. Several zones had evacuation orders lifted Monday, including along Laureles Grade and the area around Carmel Valley Village.

Cal Fire said the fire has not spread in any direction, and it has stayed north of the Carmel River and south of Carmel Valley Road.

.@CALFIREBEU 08.23.20 19:00hr Incident Briefing https://t.co/gMJMeEyFv8

— CAL FIRE BEU (@CALFIREBEU) August 24, 2020

UPDATE - 8/23/20 7:15 p.m. Cal Fire announced Sunday evening that the Carmel Fire continues to hold at 6,695 acres, however, containment grew to 15%.

The fire has been destructive. 35 residences have been destroyed and five more are considered damaged. "Damage inspection is 54 percent complete.

There are 909 personnel assigned to the Carmel Fire as of Sunday night, compared to 731 on Friday.

UPDATE - 8/23/20 11:00 a.m.

Contained on the Carmel Fire increased to 10% with the acreage holding steady at 6,695, Cal Fire officials announced Sunday morning.

The fire has now destroyed 47 structures, 33 of those being residence. 7 structures have been damaged.

Officials expect the fire to be fully contained by Sept. 6.

#CarmelFire Update 8.23.20 AM
Location: Carmel Valley Rd/Cachagua, 3.5 East of Carmel Valley Village
Acres: 6,695
Containment: 10% pic.twitter.com/2FxwJcwtkp

— CAL FIRE BEU (@CALFIREBEU) August 23, 2020

UPDATE 8/22/20 7 p.m.

Cal Fire said the Carmel Fire has grown to 6,695 acres by Saturday evening. Containment has inched up to 7%.

Cal Fire says wind is a big concern Sunday and could test lines that have been laid. Firefighters were able to increase containment and make some progress Saturday.

33 structures have been destroyed so far. 13,261 structures remain threatened.

Due to unpredictable weather forecasted for the coming days, Sheriff Bernal says things could change at any time. Because of this, residents should be packed and ready to go at a moment's notice.

New evacuation orders issued for the Carmel and River fires:

• All areas east of Carmel Valley Road, south from Finch Creek to Arroyo Seco Road
• All areas west of River Road/Fort Romie Road/Arroyo Seco Road extending south to Elm Ave/Arroyo Seco Road

Firefighters will be receiving funds from the federal government as part of the major disaster declaration.

UPDATE 8/22/20 11:00 a.m. Cal Fire provided updates on the Carmel and Rivers fire during a press conference on Saturday.

Officials warned of a Red Flag warning that is set to go into effect at 5 a.m. Sunday and remain in place until 5 p.m. Monday. The Red Flag warning brings the risk of windy conditions and additional lightning strikes that could hamper firefighting efforts.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office also provided updates on new evacuation orders and warnings for these fires.

For the latest evacuation warnings and orders, click here.

UPDATE 8/22/2020 8:00 a.m. Cal Fire reported that the Carmel Fire grew another 500 acres overnight. The total acreage burned is now 5,523. The fire remains 5% contained. Full containment is anticipated on Aug. 30.

Cal Fire said fire activity increased in the northern and western portions of the fire, posing continuous threat to homes in Carmel Valley.

Severe lack of moisture in vegetation is leading to spotting issues.

Cal Fire said 32 structures have now been destroyed, 4 more than the previous update. 6 structures are damaged and 3,762 remain threatened by the fire.

Evacuation orders have been extended from Cachagua Road north to Klondike Canyon Road on East Carmel Valley Road including Klondike Canyon Road. They also include all roads and communities northeast and southwest of East Carmel Valley Road.

Evacuation warnings have been extended west on Carmel Valley Road from Klondike Canyon Road to Laureles Grade and North on Laureles Grade from Carmel Valley Road to La Rancheria. This warning includes all communities Northeast of Carmel Valley Road, and all communities East of Laureles Grade to include Carmel Valley Road, Laureles Grade, La Rancheria and all tributary roads.

Warnings are also extended west on Carmel Valley Road from Klondike Canyon Road to Pine Tree Lane extending south to Dormody Road and east to Hitchcock Canyon Road and San Clemente Drive. This warning includes all communities on Carmel Valley Road, and all communities southwest of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pine Tree Lane.

As a reminder, the evacuation centers are located at the Monterey Conference Center on 1 Portola Plaza in Monterey as well as King City Library at 402 Broadway Street in King City.

UPDATE 8/21/2020 7:30 p.m. Cal Fire said the Carmel Fire burning in Carmel Valley has reached 5,069, but it is now 5% contained. It previously had no containment.

New evacuation warnings were issued in the area around and including Carmel Valley Village, and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office suggests packing right now and being ready to go in case it becomes an order.

The Sheriff's Office is warning people to avoid the areas around Carmel Valley and Highway 68 to allow people to evacuate with less congestion.

This weekend, crews are expecting a weather change and change in wind direction, but there is also a chance of another dry lightning storm.

The fire held its lines Friday, according to Cal Fire. At this point they say it is possible it could connect with the River Fire, but so far it is holding.

UPDATE 8/20/2020 8 p.m. The Carmel Fire has grown to 4,427 acres with no containment, according to Cal Fire.

28 structures were destroyed in the fire and two were damaged.

UPDATE 8/20/2020 10:20 a.m. The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services reports that the Carmel Fire has grown to 4,285 with no containment as of Thursday morning.

UPDATE 8/19/20 7:20 p.m. The Carmel Fire continues to burn Wednesday night.

Cal Fire said it has grown to 2,150 acres, but there is still no containment. One person was treated for mild to moderate burns.

Neighbors have endured an emotional and surreal past 24 hours after the fire began. Many people were forced to evacuate their homes in the hills. At least three structures were destroyed already and many people are hoping their homes will be spared.

“As we go left, we see the flames–the flames are coming our way from the 
ridge over so that’s how close it was,” Ron Hanik who had just moments to evacuate from his home in Sky Ranch.

His neighbor who refused to leave said their home was spared at last check.

“It’s a miracle," Hanik said. "I spoke with him this morning. The house covered in flames then a plane came down with retardant.”

But others were not so lucky. One woman we spoke with at the Carmel Valley Library evacuation center Wednesday afternoon told us she lost her home in Sky Ranch in the fire.

All that’s left in that area is blackened hillsides and torched trees.

As the flames continue to move, firefighters are working to suppress the 
fire. We found hand crews moving up the steep and dry terrain with their tools.

Neighbors are preparing to leave and those forced to evacuate now looking 
for shelter.

The Carmel Valley Library evacuation center has since closed. Those looking for water or help finding shelter can go to the new Laguna Seca evacuation center.

UPDATE 8/19/2020 9:36 a.m. Cal Fire is reporting 742 acres have burned in the Carmel Fire off Cachagua Road.

Around 9 pm Tuesday night Cal Fire initially reported 1,200 acres had burned but have since corrected this number.

Cal Fire says the overestimate had to do with mapping.

3 structures have been destroyed as a result of the fire with 311 currently threatened by the fire which broke out late Tuesday afternoon.

KION's Elisha Machado will have a live report with the latest details on the fire fight and evacuations tonight on KION News at 5 and 6 p.m.

UPDATE 8/18/2020 7:25 p.m. Cachagua Fire reports that the Carmel Fire burning near Carmel Valley has grown to 500 acres with the potential to burn up to 1,500. This has led to evacuations off Cachagua Road, near Carmel Valley Road, including the Sky Ranch area.

The agency said three structures are destroyed and 20 structures are threatened.

Cal Fire says 15 "structures" are threatened.

EVACUATION ORDER:

• Cachagua Road between Sky Ranch and Via Cielo, including Sky Ranch, Tributaries, and Via Cielo.
• East of Cachagua Road between Via Cielo & Summerhill Rd, including Via Cielo, Summerhill & Tributaries
• Summerhill Road to Asoleado Drive, including Trampa Cayon Rd, Comstat Rd, and tributaries

EVACUATION WARNING:

• All residents on Tassajara Road

People are asked to evacuate north on Tassajara Road to Carmel Valley Road.

Officials also say people are being evacuated at the Chews Ridge campgrounds.

EVACUATION CENTER:

• Carmel Valley library is open as an evacuation center - 65 W. Carmel Valley Road

Cachagua Fire station is calling the fire an "immediate life threat" with an "immediate threat of structures."

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office says this is a mandatory evacuation, writing "mandatory evacuations for all communities above the fire on Cachagua Road, exit onto Tassajara Road... You will not be able to get out to Carmel Valley Road."

The fire is approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Carmel Valley Village.

SPCA Monterey County is offering pet assistance for people evacuating from the Carmel Fire. Call 831-373-2631.

This is a developing story.