Dolan Fire near Big Sur grows to 14,000 acres — but it’s now 10% contained
Update to this story >>>>> Dolan Fire grows to nearly 20,000 acres and remains at 10% containment, officials say
The Dolan Fire in Big Sur surged to 14,000 acres Saturday morning, growing by more than 5,000 acres overnight, according to a media release by the U.S. Forest Service.
But the blaze is also now 10% contained, along the west side, with that number expected to increase over the next few days.
Hot Shot crews are working on perimeter control on the north end of the fire near North Coast Ridge Road.
The fire remained active in the areas of Hermitage and Lucia, along Highway 1 during the night, the Forest Service said, adding that fire spread will be mainly to the south, laterally along the coast ridge.
The priorities for protection are Hermitage, Partington Ridge, Lucia and Anderson Peak communications infrastructure, as the fire is threatening these communities.
Multiple businesses, communications sites, parks and recreational sites are also threatened.
Among the natural resources threatened are the Ventana Wilderness and coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, including the California condor.
Operations on Saturday will focus on point protection and scouting for locations to build a direct and indirect fire line, according to the media report.
Officials believe the Dolan Fire was started intentionally around 8 p.m. Tuesday in John Little State Nature Reserve south of Slates Hot Springs.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Fresno resident Ivan Geronimo Gomez on suspicion of arson of forest lands, according to a Sheriff’s Office Facebook post on Wednesday.
Hwy. 1 closure adjusted
The closure of Highway 1 is now near mile marker 38 at Troy Canyon on the north side and Hermitage on the south side.
Weather and fire behavior
Smoke from other fires in the area is shading the Dolan Fire. That has the benefit of decreasing direct sunlight and dampening fire behavior, according to the media report.
Today, moisture from Tropical Depression Genevieve will bring mostly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures to the area.
Looking ahead, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued from Sunday at 11 a.m. through Tuesday at 11 a.m. due to a potential for thunderstorms.
As Tropical Depression Genevieve moves into the area, unstable air will likely lift the smoke layer and result in more active fire behavior.
Live community meeting today
Additionally, a live online community meeting will be held on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page today at 2 p.m. Please email questions in advance to 2020.dolan@firenet.gov.
Update on two other fires
Also in Monterey County, the River and Carmel fires continue to burn, prompting new evacuations.
The River Fire south of Salinas is now at nearly 45,000 acres and 12% contained. It has destroyed 16 structures and damaged 8 others. Four people have been injured by the fire.
The Carmel Fire is at 5,500 acres and 5% contained. It has destroyed 32 structures and damaged 6 others.
About 1,700 personnel are working the two fires.
Smoke still hazardous in SLO County
Smoke from the three fires continues to flow into the North County, causing hazardous conditions.
On Saturday morning, four North County locations once again landed on IQAir’s top 10 list of the worst conditions in the country.
As of 11 a.m., San Miguel was at No. 3 with an air quality index of 417, followed by Paso Robles at No. 4 (401), Atascadero at No. 5 (358) and Lake Nacimiento at No. 7 (333).
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 11:34 AM.