Smoke from Big Sur fire fills North County skies
The blaze, which started in Soberanes Creek near Big Sur, has grown to 23,568 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. Photo from Cal Fire Twitter.
–Smoke is filling the skies of Atascadero and North County due to the Soberanes Fire burning near Big Sur.
Reports say current fine particulate concentrations throughout San Luis Obispo County are measuring higher than normal. Citizens are urged to take the necessary precautions and limit outdoor activities, especially people who already have compromised respiratory systems or any type of heart condition.
The blaze, which started in Soberanes Creek, has grown to 23,568 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, prompting the closure of all trails and roads in the Los Padres National Forest in the Monterey District.
Currently 10-percent contained, the fire is threatening 2,000 structures and has already destroyed 20 homes as well as two outbuildings. At least 300 homes have been evacuated in Palo Colorado and the areas of Rocky Creek, Garza Trail, Weston Ridge Road, Garrapatos Road and Highway 1 south to Old Coast Road at Bixby Creek Road. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Department expanded its evacuation orders Wednesday afternoon to communities east of Carmel Highlands and Garrapata State Park, according to the Los Angeles Times. One person has died, who refused to evacuate, reports say.
