Monterey County fires closer to containment as more evacuation orders lift
The Dolan Fire near Big Sur continued to rage on Thursday morning, but the U.S. Forest Service said it is “optimistic control lines will be successful for protection” of nearby communities.
The wildfire has burned 21,861 acres, an increase of about 20 acres since Wednesday morning, according to the forest service. Firefighters have held the fire at 15% containment as of Thursday morning.
Overnight, crews reinforced control lines and monitored the north side of McWay Ridge and along the North Coast Ridge, using night-time conditions to their advantage, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The U.S. Forest Service said in a news release that fire crossing Highway 1 remained a threat Thursday morning.
Drainage pipes and underpasses are filled with potential fuel that could allow the fire to cross under to the west side of the highway, according to the Forest Service.
The communities of Hermitage, Partington Ridge, Lucia and nearby businesses also continued to be threatened by fire, the Forest Service said.
Evacuation orders were in effect Thursday for the Partington, Big Creek and Lucia zones.
Highway 1 remained closed Thursday near mile marker 38 at Troy Canyon in the north and at Hermitage south of the fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Monterey County sheriff: Fresno man started wildfire
The Dolan Fire was believed to have been intentionally set the night of Aug. 18.
Ivan Geronimo Gomez, a 30-year-old Fresno man, was arrested a day later on suspicion of starting the fire, according to a Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.
He is being held at Montery County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail for a felony arson charge, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s booking log.
Jail records show that Geronimo Gomes faces felony charges of arson of forest land, throwing an object at a vehicle or vehicle occupant with intent to do great bodily injury and cultivating more than six living cannabis plants. He was also charged with two misdemeanors: battery and exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm.
California condor sanctuary destroyed by Dolan Fire
While the U.S. Forest Service has not released information about damaged or destroyed buildings, the Ventana Wildlife Society confirmed Wednesday via Twitter that the wildfire “completely destroyed” its California condor sanctuary, burning its release and research facilities.
“Two live cameras, operated by Explore.org, recorded the devastation,” the society wrote in an Aug. 21 post on its Facebook page. “The nest cam, where baby condor Iniko is being raised by wild parents Redwood Queen and Kingpin, was lost on the evening of August 20, 2020, and the Sanctuary Cam, with an overview of the release area, was burned over at around 3:45 a.m. on the 21st.
At least four of the condors at the facility were missing as of Wednesday.
Wildlife biologist Joe Burnett went searching Wednesday for the missing giant birds and was able to locate 90 members of a 100-condor flock, Salinas-based television station KSBW reported.
“As condors and their chicks have survived wildfire in the past, there is still hope for Iniko and the others,” the Ventana Wildlife Society wrote in its post. “Once it is clear, we will rebuild as nothing will get in our way of restoring this magnificent species back to nature.”
River Fire and Carmel Fire containment increases
Containment of the River Fire and Carmel Fire in Montery County have continued to increase day-by-day, according to Cal Fire.
The River Fire near Salinas had burned 49,732 acres as of Thursday morning, seeing an increase of acreage from the day before. However, containment also increased to 58% by Thursday morning.
Cal Fire reported that the use of infrared technology has helped firefighters identify hidden hot spots and improve containment.
As of Thursday, 30 structures have been destroyed — 13 of which were homes, according to the agency. An additional 12 structures were damaged, and 181 remained threatened.
The increased containment allowed for more evacuation orders and warnings to be lifted Thursday.
The Carmel Fire in Carmel Valley was 60% contained as of Thursday morning, up from the 55% containment reported Wednesday evening, according to Cal Fire.
Improved weather conditions helped firefighters bolster containment lines, Cal Fire said.
As of Thursday, 6,767 acres in the Carmel Valley had burned as a result of the fire.
Cal Fire reported that 73 structures, including 50 homes, had been destroyed by the Carmel Fire as of Wednesday. Seven other structures were damaged, and 349 remained threatened.
On Thursday, some evacuation orders and warnings were lifted, however many remained in place.
Where to get help if you’ve been affected by the fires
Commodity distribution points for the fires were set at the intersection of Tasajarra Road and Carmel Valley Road and the Cheveron Gas Station, located at 38 West Carmel Valley, according to Cal Fire. They will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Evacuation centers are located at King City Branch Library at 404 Broadway St. in King City and the Monterey Conference Center at 1 Protola Plaza in Monterey.
Along with the centers, 24-hour evacuation centers are located at Carmel Middle School at 4380 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel and Salinas Valley Fairgrounds at 625 Division St. in King City, according to Cal Fire. The shelters have the capacity to provide meals and sleeping accommodations for around 20 people.
How to help fire victims
Although some evacuation orders have been lifted, many remain in place in Monterey County.
The Community Foundation for Monterey County created a Monterey County Fire Relief Fund to help those affected by the Dolan, River and Salinas fires. Donations can be made online, via phone at 831-375-9712 or by mail at Community Foundation for Monterey County, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940. (Make checks payable to the foundation and note “Monterey County Fire Relief,” “Carmel Valley Relief” or “Big Sur Relief” in the memo line.)
Supplies can also be donated directly at Seaside High School, 2200 Noche Buena St. in Seaside, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Ventana Wildlife Society is also collecting monetary donations to rebuild the condor release and research facilities that were destroyed by the Dolan Fire. The nonprofit’s goal is to raise $500,000 to rebuild the sanctuary for the endangered birds, according to the society’s website.
Additional volunteer and donation information can be found at MontereyCo.Recovers.org.
