Update: Evacuations ordered as Bear Fire jumps to 300 acres in SLO County
Update, 4:31 p.m.:
The Bear Fire had grown to 300 acres with a potential for 1,000 acres, according to emergency response app Watch Duty.
The fire had crossed Seven Mile Road, burning 50 acres on the south side, the app said. Evacuations had been ordered at 4:05 p.m.
Level three evacuation orders were in place in four zones around the fire in the Carrizo Plain.
Update, 4:15 p.m.:
By 4:15 p.m., the Bear Fire had grown to 220 acres, according to emergency response app Watch Duty.
The fire slopped across Seven Mile Road, extending two acres on the south side, the app said.
The Sheriff’s Office was working on evacuations while six more response vehicles were requested, the app said.
By 4:18 p.m., a “no-divert status” had been requested for three of the air tankers due to firefighter and life safety, the app said.
The no divert status is used when a fire poses a direct and immediate threat to the life of a firefighter or a civilian, causing urgent need for continued air support, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Update, 4:05 p.m.:
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the area south of Seven Mile Road, east of Elkhorn Road, and north of Arrowhead Trail, according to Cal Fire.
Update, 3:49 p.m.:
As of 3:49 p.m., the fire had grown to 180 acres as crews made progress, according to emergency response app Watch Duty.
One structure was threatened, according to the app.
Update, 3:43 p.m.:
By 3:43 p.m., the fire had a potential for 500 acres, according to emergency response app Watch Duty.
A lead plane and another helicopter were requested, according to the app.
Update, 3:31 p.m.:
Emergency response app Watch Duty updated the fire to be 80 acres with a potential for 100 acres, spread at “moderate and some critical” speeds.
Cal Fire said the fire had a potential for 300 acres.
An additional two air tankers, two dozers, two hand crews and five fire engines have been requested for dispatch, according to the app.
Original story:
A 100-acre vegetation fire broke out near the edge of San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday afternoon.
A 3:09 p.m., emergency dispatch responded to reports of a vegetation fire in rural SLO County just south of Highway 58 and north of the Carrizo Plains near the county line with Kern County, according to the emergency response app Watch Duty.
Wildfire cameras caught the fire breaking out at 3:06, with smoke and visible flames.
By 3:20 p.m., the fire was reported to be 100 acres and growing at moderate speed, threatening nearby solar panels.
This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 3:27 PM.
