Wildfire along Big Sur coast prompts evacuations

January 22, 2022: According to the National Weather Service, the fire is burning south of Palo Colorado towards Bixby Creek along Long Ridge in an area with little or no fire history. The 2008 Basin, 2016 Soberanes, and 2013 Pfieffer fire didn't burn in this area, nor did the 1977 Marble Cone or 1999 Kirk Complex.

Evacuations:

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued an evacuation order for all areas west of 3800 Palo Colorado Road to Highway 1 and south to Bixby Creek. Evacuation orders are mandatory.

 An American Red Cross Shelter is open at Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923. The SPCA will have emergency pet supplies available at the American Red Cross Shelter. People who need help evacuating their pets can call (831)-373-2631.

Road Closures:

Highway 1 is closed in both directions from near the entrance to Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur to Rio Road in Carmel, according to Cal Fire.

Wildfire Smoke:

Gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low relative humidity could create a smoke hazard for those in Monterey and surrounding areas.

Follow Big Sure Kate:
Big Sur Kate is a voice of the California coast during wildfires and storms. Her site has up to date information on this fire.

https://bigsurkate.blog/

AERIAL ASSAULT AS FIRE SPREADS TO BIXBY CREEK

With the 1,500-acre Big Sur wildfire spreading rapidly overnight from Palo Colorado to the Bixby Bridge, a furious aerial assault was underway this morning, according to radar data from the flight monitoring site, flightaware.com. About 9:30 a.m., at least two tankers and several spotter aircraft circled the fire repeatedly, focusing on a spot just north of the Bixby Bridge.

Only a couple of hours after it started in Palo Colorado, the fire swept down the hillside toward the Rocky Creek Bridge.

This picture was taken about 9 p.m. Friday from Rocky Point. Photo by Floyd Wenglikowski.

Just after midnight, the fire raged a short distance north of the Bixby Bridge.

Photo by Kodiak Greenwood.

The fire made an impressive, but also frightening, show last night as it moved into the Rocky Creek watershed.

Photo by Kodiak Greenwood.

Watch the Big Sur Palo Colorado Fires Impact:

Evacuation Lodging

See the list of hotels, inns and lodges that give special discount rates to residents that have evacuated their homes.