Soberanes fire drawing unwanted visitors

UPDATE 7/27/2016 9:45 PM: Six people are lucky to be alive after they were rescued by volunteer firefighters and a dozer crew in the Palo Colorado area on Tuesday. Authorities with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office say they were hiking and called for help after getting too close to the fire near Bottcher’s Gap.

They weren’t alone. Deputies say two more people made it out of the fire on Monday, admitting they were working on a 900 marijuana plant grow near the fire. They are also OK and not facing any charge. Their grow was destroyed in the fire.

These are the types of incidents that law enforcement agencies are trying to prevent.

“As a precaution and for public safety, the U.S. Forest Service has chosen to close a portion of the Ventana Wilderness and Los Padres National Forest,” said Paula Martinez with the USFS.

The temporary closure will be lifted once the Soberanes Fire is contained. Warning signs are posted and officers aren’t taking chances. People who violate the restrictions could face a $5,000 fine and/or jail time. Officials say the restrictions are for their own safety. They could get lost and there is no cell phone service.

Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office are patrolling all evacuation areas.

“Keep everybody out to make sure everybody stays safe,” said Deputy Mike Smith. “Any onlookers, it gets in the way of the fire department and we certainly don’t want anyone to be burglarized if they are under a mandatory evacuation.”

The Sheriff’s Office isn’t the only agency working to keep people out of evacuation areas. The California Highway Patrol has been keeping post at other spots like Palo Colorado Road.

ORIGINAL POST: The last thing firefighters need as they battle the Soberanes Fire north of Big Sur is spectators. Despite warnings to stay out of the area, a number of people are driving on Highway 1 to get near the action.

Tonight on KION, Mariana Hicks will show us what’s being done to keep people safe and allow firefighters to do their job.