Inciweb Basin Complex Fire Update (Big Sur)

On the Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres, http://www.fire.ca.gov/, http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/

Fire Information Phone Line: (831) 796-1990

Information Specific to Monterey County Mandatory Evacuations: (831) 796-1991

Information Specific to Mid Coast area, call the Fire Department at (831) 626-1961

Headlines:

• Overnight, the fire continued to back slowly downhill into Big Sur, allowing structure protection teams time to continue cutting trees and brush away from buildings. Fire movement was minimal overnight.
• Daily community meetings are being held at the Carmel Valley Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, at 7 p.m..

Current Status:

• Winds are expected to moderate slightly today, with humidity reaching between 50%-60% in the marine layer and 20-35% above the marine layer. Temperatures in the marine layer will range from 64 to 74, and 78-88 above the marine layer.
• Structure protection teams have set up a sprinkler system in the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp. The fire has not spread into the camp.

• There are no immediate plans to evacuate in the Palo Colorado area, and the incident still anticipates providing a 24 hour notice for evacuation of residents.

Evacuations:

• As of 4:00 p.m. yesterday, the MANDATORY evacuation area starts at the intersection of Highway 1 just south of Palo Colorado and continues south to Limekiln State Park. It includes the entire Big Sur area, including both sides of Highway 1.
• An ADVISORY evacuation is in effect for the Palo Colorado Canyon from Highway 1 to the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp.
• The Arroyo Seco Road area is under a VOLUNTARY evacuation above the junction with Carmel Valley Road. The road is only open to residents, emergency traffic and service vehicles.
• A fire evacuation ADVISORY is in effect for Carmel Valley Road from Arroyo Seco Road north to the Tassajara Road, the Tassajara Road south to the forest boundary, and the Cachagua Road to Nason Road turnoff.
• The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center and shelter at the Carmel Valley Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road. For further information, call the Carmel Chapter at (831) 624-6921.
• Animal shelters will be available at the Red Cross shelter location. Call (831) 373-2631 for further information.

Highway, Road and Area Closures:

• Highway 1 is closed from just south of the intersection of Palo Colorado to Limekiln State Park. No travel will be allowed through this area.
• All State Parks in the closure area are closed to public access. This includes Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are closed. All national forest lands on the Monterey Ranger District are closed to public access.

Evacuations and Closures are subject to change depending on fire conditions

Basin Complex / Indians Fire Perimeter Map 07/01/08
Credit: USFS

view pictures || view maps

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	Saturday June 21st, 2008 aprox 12:56 PM
Location	5 miles south of Big Sur
Incident Commander	Dietrich / Mcgowan / Hutc

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,642
Size	65,393 acres
Percent Contained	5%
Fuels Involved	4 Chaparral (6 Feet) Timber and slash in higher areas. Heavy dead loading from sudden oak death in the Tan Oak.
Fire Behavior	West Zone: Fire exhibited backing towards the community of BIG SUR. Higher humidities moderated fire behavior in other divisions. Single tree torching and short uphill runs were observed elsewhere. East Zone: Isolated pockets of surface fire with occasional single tree torching and moderated fire behavior due to higher relative humidity.
Significant Events	West Zone: A mandatory evacuation and road closure is in effect for the entire community of BIG SUR and both sides of Hwy 1 from Lime Kiln State Park north to Palo Colorado Road. An evacuation advisory remains in place for residents of the Palo Colorado Canyon from Hwy 1 to the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp. East Zone: Continue structure preparation on Carmel Valley Road and Cachagua areas.

Outlook

Planned Actions	West Zone: Provide structure protection. Continue structure protection assessment and preparation in the community of BIG SUR, Palo Colorado Canyon area and south of Dolan Ridge. Conduct firing operations to check fire spread along Hwy 1 and on Dolan Ridge. Initiate firing operations if conditions are favorable on Mescal Ridge from Bottchers Gap to the Old Coast Road and from Bottchers Gap to Skinners Ridge. Construct contingency dozer line from Hwy 1 east towards Whiterock Ridge. East Zone: Continue structure protection preparation on Carmel Valley Rd/Cachagua areas.
Growth Potential	High
Terrain Difficulty	High
Remarks	The Basin Complex is in unified command with the USFS Dietrich (west), McGowan (east), CalFire R. Hutchinson, Big Sur VFB and Mid-Coast FB and Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	16 gusts mph NW
Current Temperature	57 degrees
Current Humidity	52 %