Dolan Fire near Big Sur is 25% contained — but hot, dry weather is on its way
The Dolan Fire south of Big Sur in Monterey County has burned 25,587 acres and is 25% contained as of Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
That’s the same acreage and containment as Saturday, but both figures are up from 23,365 acres and 20% contained on Friday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“Crews are making good progress and are cautiously optimistic,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a release. “But the containment lines will be tested by hot and dry weather that is forecasted to come in this afternoon and over the next few days.”
More than 1,000 firefighters have made good progress containing the Dolan Fire along Highway 1 and in the south near Hermitage and Lucia.
As of Sunday, Highway 1 remained closed from just north of Gorda at Willow Creek Beach to three miles north of Slates Hot Springs because the risk of the fire spreading and falling debris, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The fire has continued to burn further east into the Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service said.
Multiple businesses, parks, recreational sites, communication infrastructure and the communities of Hermitage, Lucia and Partington Ridge remained at risk Sunday from the fire.
Natural resources such as the Ventana Wilderness, coastal watershed and habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as the California condor, were threatened from the Dolan Fire as well.
Partington Ridge, Lucia and Hermitage are all under evacuation orders, with evacuation shelters set up at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City and Carmel Middle School in Carmel.
River Fire, Carmel Fire still burning in Monterey County
The River Fire had burned 48,088 acres and was 88% contained as of Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire.
The River Fire is located east of Salinas near Pine Canyon and River Road. All evacuation orders have been lifted, and fire crews are mopping up inside the fire’s perimeter and checking for remaining hot spots.
The Carmel Fire had burned 6,905 acres and was 86% contained as of Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire.
The fire is located off Cachagua and Carmel Valley roads south of Carmel. All evacuation orders have been lifted.
Firefighters are allowing some areas of the Carmel Fire to smolder as long as they do not pose a threat to the containment lines, according to Cal Fire.
How to help fire victims
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.
