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Thursday night: River Fire continues its destructive path, Carmel Fire destroys 28 structures
Sheyanne N Romero
Salinas Californian
Extreme heat and thunderstorms have created dangerous fire conditions across California.
Monterey County was not spared this wildfire season as three large fires continue to burn in Salinas, Carmel Valley and Big Sur.
As of Thursday night, dozens of homes and structures were damaged or destroyed and thousands of residents are under mandatory or advisory evacuation orders. As it stands, about 7,000 have been evacuated from their homes across both fires.
River Fire
The River Fire consumed another 300 acres on Thursday and now sits at 33,974 acres.
The largest fire in the county is just 9% contained. More than 2,750 structures are threatened; at least nine have been destroyed and four were damaged.
"Progression to the north impacted homes in the outlying communities of Salinas," Cal Fire officials reported. "The fire is making slope driven runs."
On Thursday night, the fire gained speed near Manzanita Way, River and Mesa roads. The Californian visually confirmed at least three homes were destroyed by flames and another two were damaged.
The fire is also getting close to the incident command post at Toro Park in Salinas. Cal Fire crews made plans to relocate all "non-essential" personnel. However, essential personnel will remain at the command post.
Firefighters are concentrating at the northern edge of the fire to stop its spread. They're also congregating at the southern tip.
Wind patterns differ on each side of the fire, which contributed to the fire's spread, according to Cal Fire officials.
"This fire is truly moving in two separate directions — to the north and the south," Deputy Incident Cmdr. Greg Bertelli said on Wednesday.
There are 937 firefighters at the incident from across the state.
River Fire evacuation Orders:
- Pine Canyon Rd, Parker Rd, Laurel Ln, and Trimble Hill Ln.
- West of River Rd to Parker Rd, South to Limekiln Rd to include Limekiln Rd.
- Limekiln Road South to Gonzales River Road.
- Southwest of Parker Rd, northwest of Corral De Cielo Rd, and Rana Creek
- Southwest of the intersection Chualar River Rd, and River Rd
- Northwest of Limekiln Rd/Creek
- West of River Road from Limekiln Rd to Gonzales River Road
- All areas south of Highway 68, east of San Benancio Rd to include San Benancio Rd south to Harper Canyon Rd
- -Harper Canyon area, all areas within north of San Benancio Rd, west of Troy Ln, southeast of Harper Canyon Rd, to include Harper Canyon Road, Weather Rock Way, and Rimrock Canyon Rd
- South of River Rd from Tara Dr to Pine Canyon Rd to include all roads off of Las Palmas Pkwy, Ranchito Dr, Indian Springs Rd, Berry Dr, Enos Dr, Redding Dr, and Belmont Circle
- Southeast of the intersection of Chualar River Rd and River Rd, northwest of Limekiln
- Harper Canyon Area, all areas north of San Benancio Rd, west of Troy Ln, southeast of Harper Canyon Rd, to include Harper Canyon Rd, Weather Rock Way, and Rimrock Canyon Rd
- All areas south within the intersection of Hwy 68 and River Road to Tara Drive and Hwy 68 south to San Benancio Road, including the Los Palmas 1 and 117 Drive Communities. This order does not include the Toro Regional Main Park area.
- Zone 13: Areas west of River Road, extending west to Carmel Valley Road. West of River Road, south from Gonzales River Road to Puma Road. East of Carmel Valley Road from south of Tassajara Road to Finch Creek.
- All areas south of Corral de Tierra Road and Underwood Road, extending southwards to TassaJara Road. Does not include Corral de Tierra Road and Underwood Road.
River Fire evacuation Warnings:
- Indian Canyon, Mt. Toro Access Rd and San Benancio Rd from Troy Ln. to Corral de Tierra, including Corral del Cielo Rd, Lucie Ln, and Covie Ln
- Areas North of Highway 68 from Portola Drive and Veronica Drive/Estoque Place east, to include all roads off of Portola Drive to Creekside Court.
- West of River Road to Arroyo Seco Rd. East of CVR, extending south from Finch Creek to Arroyo Seco Rd.
Dolan Fire
The U.S. Fire Service has increased its estimation of the Dolan Fire to 6,700 acres after managing to get a better view of the conflagration from the air, they said.
The fire is burning six miles north of Limekiln State Park and 10 miles south of Big Sur, producing heavy smoke in steep terrain.
"Fire is moving up and down canyons, spotting and making erratic runs, evacuations with structure protection on the north and south of the fire," according to U.S Forest Service.
The east side of Dolan Canyon was evacuated Tuesday night.
Crews are concerned the fire will move to Highway 1. The highway is closed from Pfeiffer State Park to Ragged Point. The forecast predicts hot and dry weather, which complicates firefighting efforts.
The fire is believed to have been started by a Fresno man.
Just hours after the blaze was ignited, Monterey County sheriff's detectives arrested Ivan Geronimo Gomez, 30, of Fresno, in connection with the fire.
He was booked into Monterey County Jail on suspicion of arson on forest land, throwing something at a vehicle intending to cause great bodily injury and illegally growing marijuana. His bail is set at $2 million.
Carmel Fire
The blaze destroyed 28 structures and is threatening another 462, as of Thursday night. It has destroyed 4,428 acres, according to Cal Fire.
The fire is 0% contained.
Crews continued their aggressive attack on the fire from the ground and the air. However, high temperatures, low humidity, steep mountainous terrain have hampered efforts.
Structures are still be threatened on the northwest, south and east portions of the fire, according to Cal
Carmel Fire evacuation orders:
- Nason Road South from Cachuaga Road
- Cachagua Road from Asoleado Drive to Tassajara Road to include Asoleado Drive, Comsat Road, Trampa Canyon Road and all tributaries
- Tassajara Road from Miller Canyon to East Carmel Valley Road to include Chew’s Ridge, Kincannon Road, Lambert Flat, Parrot Ranch Road and tributaries
- Tassajara Rd. including the community of Jamesburg, Parrot Ranch Rd, Laurel ---Spring Rd, Kincannon Rd, Sage Mountain Rd, Lambert, Poppy Tree, Tributaries, and Tassajara Rd from Cachagua Rd to East Carmel Valley Rd.
- Extension of evacuation from Cachagua Road north to Klondike Canyon Road on East Carmel Valley Road to include Klondike Canyon Road, and all roads and communities north east and south west of East Carmel Valley Road.
- East of Cachagua Rd. between Sky Ranch and Via Cielo, including Sky Ranch, Tributaries, and Via Cielo.
- Residents east of Cachagua Rd. between Summerhill Rd. and Asoleado Dr. including Summerhill, Nason, Asoleado Dr. and Tributaries.
Carmel Fire evacuation orders:
- Residents east of Cachagua Rd between Asoleado Dr. and Tassajara Rd. including Trampa Canyon Rd, Comstat Rd, and Tributaries.
- Tassajara Rd. including the community of Jamesburg, Parrot Ranch Rd, Laurel Spring Rd, Kincannon Rd, Sage Mountain Rd, Lambert, Poppy Tree, Tributaries, and Tassajara Rd from Cachagua Rd to East Carmel Valley Rd.
Monterey County and the American Red Cross are offering both an evacuation center and evacuation shelter.
A 24-hour evacuation shelter is open at Carmel Middle School in Carmel. The shelter can provide meals and sleeping accommodations for up to 20 people and will be expanded if needed. Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Rd.
An evacuation center is located at Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca on Highway 68. The center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offers evacuees water, snacks and a rest stop to make further plans. Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca is located at 1021 Highway 68.
Wildfire map:Track fire, smoke from Salinas Fires
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