(Trends Wide) — A wildfire near California’s fabled Highway 1, which winds along the Pacific coast, prompted evacuation orders in Monterey County Friday night.
The Colorado fire started in Palo Colorado Canyon in the Big Sur region, according to the county’s office of emergency services.
Because of the fire, Highway 1 was closed near Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur, the Department of Transportation said in a tweet early Saturday.
Evacuation orders are mandatory for “all areas west of 3800 Palo Colorado Rd. to Highway 1 and south to Bixby Creek,” Monterey County officials said. It is unclear how many residents are affected by the order.
The fire had burned about 100 acres when the evacuation order was issued Friday, Trends Wide affiliate KCRA reported. It was located near Highway 1 north of the Bixby Bridge and near the Palo Colorado section of Monterey County, according to Caltrans.
Dry winds were pushing the fire onto the highway, according to the local National Weather Service.
“The strongest offshore (northeast) winds have peaked and are expected to die down after midnight through sunrise. Humidity should trend higher between 4 and 6 a.m. Watch for some light southerly winds this Saturday morning,” the NWS said in a tweet.
A CalFire unit He said which sent four fire trucks to help fight the fire. And there are 13 agencies responding to help fight the fire, KCRA reported.
This fire can be seen from Santa Cruz County, although it is about 70 miles away in Monterey County, CalFire said.
The Colorado Fire burns along Highway 1 near Big Sur, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
The Red Cross is assisting with shelter at Carmel Middle School for those affected by the wildfire, county officials said in a tweet. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also tweeted that it will provide emergency supplies for pets at that shelter.
Monterey County is home to about 430,000 residents.
California experienced a severe drought last year, leading to a devastating wildfire season.
But recent heavy rains across the state have eradicated the highest level of drought and greatly reduced the level 3 of 4 “extreme drought” from 80% of the state in mid-December to just 1% last week.
