Cal Fire: Soberanes fire grows to 31,386 acres
UPDATE 7/29/16 7:48AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to31,386acres Friday morning, according to Cal Fire.
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UPDATE 7/28/16 6:50PM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to 29,877 acres and is 15 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
41 homes have been destroyed along with 10 outbuildings. Two structures and two outbuildings have been damaged.
4,245 personnel are now helping fight the fire.
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The Soberanes Fire has burned 27,326 acres, roughly 37 square miles of land, between Carmel Valley and Big Sur. As of Thursday morning, 34 homes and 10 outbuildings have been destroyed. Over 3,500 fire personnel are involved.
As the fire grows, crews continue to face serious challenges as they work in remote areas with few roads and rugged terrain.
As the Soberanes Fire continues to grow to new heights, evacuees Vanessa Gonzales are playing the waiting game.
“It’s very scary and sad,” said Gonzales. “You don’t know what to think.”
Gonzales says she is waiting for a permission slip from fire fighters so she can drive to her home to see if it’s still standing.
“You know a lot of neighbors around and people getting evacuated,” said Gonzales.
“People who actually live there are losing their homes… it’s sad”
Gonzales’ home is on the southern side of the fire, near the Bixby Bridge, and that is where Cal Fire spokesperson Amber Anderson says their main concern is now.
“Our primary area of concern for the next 24 hour operation period is down in this lower area,” said Anderson.
Reason being, because crews want to make sure the fire doesn’t spread into the Carmel Valley.
“We are working really hard to reinforce our contingency lines to ensure that the fire doesn’t come back up and threaten that area,” said Anderson.
While thousands of firefighters battle the southern side, Cal Fire says they have made progress on the northern end.
“We feel very confident in this area, that we can gain the upper hand and stop it from spreading towards the (Carmel) highlands area,” said Anderson.
Firefighters are spread all across the nearly 28,000 acre fire zone and the terrain has made the fire fight a tough one.
“It’s very steep, very rocky, very rugged,” said Anderson. “That presents some unique challenges for our firefighters.”
One person has already died in the Soberanes Fire. A 35-year old private bulldozer operator named Robert Oliver Reagan from Fresno County. He was Killed overnight Tuesday near the Palo Colorado neighborhood, according to Cal Fire.
“That hits hard for all of us and reinforces the need for safety of both the firefighters and the public,” said Anderson.
The dangers of a large fire that has Gonzales simply hoping for the best. After all, that’s all she can do.
“I really hope this fire gets controlled soon and I hope that everyone is well right now,” said Gonzalez.
