Soberanes Fire continues to burn toward area above Big Sur

UPDATE 8/14/16 7AM: The Soberanes Fire burning near Big Sur continued to spread in steep, rugged terrain near Big Sur. Cal Fire reports the wildfire is now 72,566 acres (113 square miles) and is 60 percent contained.

The fire continues backing in the Coast Ride area above Big Sur, as well as backing into the Carmel and Ventana drainages, according to Cal Fire.

Highway 1 will close at 2pm today for up to 24 hours from Point Sur Lighthouse to North Coast Ridge Road so crews can conduct firing operations.

UPDATE 8/13/16 7:30 AM: The Soberanes Fire burning near Big Sur grew more than a thousand acres since Cal Fire issued it’s last report on Friday night. The agency is reporting the wildfire is now 71,860 acres (112 square miles) and still stands at 60 percent contained Saturday morning.

Cal Fire said it will need to conduct firing operations over the next few days to secure the fire line in the Big Area and may need to close HIghway 1 at times. People are advised to avoid the area.

UPDATE 8/12/16 7:26 PM: More containment made on the Soberanes Fire burning near Big Sur. Cal Fire is reporting the 70,615 acre wildfire is now 60 percent contained Friday night.

UPDATE 8/12/16 7:26 AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to 70,615 acres overnight Friday morning, according to Cal Fire. It is still 55 percent contained. Highway 1 may be closed for up to 48 hours Friday, so firefighters cantry to secure a fire line in the Big Sur area.

UPDATE 8/11/16 8:29 AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to 69,837 acres overnight Thursday, according to Cal Fire. It is now 55 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/10/16 7:10 AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to68,698 acres Wednesday Morning, according to Cal Fire. It is still 50 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/9/16 7:03 AM:The Soberanes Fire has grown to 67,092 acres Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire. It is still 50 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/8/16 8:16 PM: More containment made on the Soberanes Fire Monday night. According to Cal Fire the 60,900 acres wildfire is now 50 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/8/16 7:30 AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to 60,400 acres Monday morning, according to Cal Fire. It is still 45 percent contained.

UPDATE Sunday, 8/7/16 8:35 PM. The Soberanes Fire grew slightly during the day Sunday. It has now burned 57,800 and remains 45 percent contained. 410 buildings are still being threatened.

UPDATE Sunday, 8/7/16 2PM. A Cal Fire official has confirmed that a third injury has been reported in the Soberanes Fire. A firefighter sustained an injury to the leg. Cal Fire says it was a minor injury and that he is going to be okay.

The fire has burned 57,500 acres and remains at 45 percent contained.

Today, 650 structures are being threatened and more than 5,000 fire personnel are in the area fighting the fire.

UPDATE Saturday, 8/6/16 9:32 PM. Cal Fire says the Soberanes Fire is now 45 percent contained. The number of acres has increased to 56,500, 400 buildings are in danger, that is down from 2.000 from this morning.

UPDATE Saturday, 8/6/16 7:35AM. Cal Fire released its latest update on the wildfire burning north of Big Sur. The Soberanes Fire has burned 1,700 more acres since last night’s report. The number of acres now stands at 55,600. That’s nearly 87 square miles. The fire remains 40 percent contained.

Cal Fire says it plans firing operations today, weather permitting. Crews battling the fire have been burning fire lines to control the blaze in steep, rugged and rough terrain.

More than 5,500 fire personnel are on the Central Coast fighting the Soberanes fire which began July 22 with an illegal, unattended campfire at Garrapata State Park.

UPDATE 8/5/16 7:30PM: More progress being made in the Soberanes Fire. Cal Fire is reporting the 53,900 acre wildfire burning north of Big Sur is now 40 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/5/16 7:16 AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to 53,690 acres, according to Cal Fire Friday morning. It is 35 percent contained. Fuel driven runs took place on the South and East side of the fire. Fire continues to burn in steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain.

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UPDATE 8/4/16 9:21 PM: Cal Fire is reporting two people were injured as the Soberanes Fire continues to burn north of Big Sur.

At this time it’s unclear if those injured are firefighters. The extent of the injuries is also unknown.

UPDATE 8/4/16 6:55 PM: More progress being made on the Soberanes Fire Thursday night. The wildfire burning north of Big Sur has burned 51,200 acres and is now 30 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/4/16 7:15 AM:The Soberanes Fire has grown to 51,000 acres Thursday morning, according to Cal Fire. However, firefighters have made progress containing it. It is 27 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/3/16 6:37 PM: More progress is being made on the Soberanes Fire Wednesday night. The wildfire burning north of Big Sur has burned 46,700 acres and is now 27 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/3/16 7:00 AM: The Soberanes Fire has grown to45,800 acres according to Cal Fire. It is still 25 percent contained.

UPDATE 8/2/16 9PM: Firefighters are gaining the upper hand on the Soberanes Fire as it continues to burn north of Big Sur.

The 44,300 acre wildfire is now 25 percent contained. More than 5,400 firefighters are battling the fire.

UPDATE 8/2/16 7:29 AM: According to Cal Fire, the Soberanes fire grew to 43,400acres overnight. It still stands at 18% containment.About 5,451 firefighters are fighting the fire.

UPDATE 8/1/16 7:40 AM: According to Cal Fire, the Soberanes fire grew to 40,618 acres overnight. It still stands at 18% containment.

UPDATE 7/31/16 7:33 PM: The Soberanes Fire has now burned 40,000 acres and is 18% contained, according to Cal Fire.

The fire has burned for nine days and on Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported an additional 300 personnel have arrived to fight the wildfire north of Big Sur.

Nearly 2,500 acres burned since Cal Fire issued its last report Saturday evening.

Cal Fire says that the fire remained moderate overnight.

Several areas remain under evacuation orders, including Robinson Canyon Road from San Clemente Trail to White Rock Gun Club.

Several other areas are under evacuation orders, including the community of San Clemente and all of Long Ridge Trail

7/30/16: As of Saturday morning, Cal Fire reports that 5,053 fire personnel are now battling the nearly 53 square mile Soberanes Fire that’s burning north of Big Sur.

The number of resources jumped since its last report on Friday night, when the total number of personnel listed was 4,227.

As KION News Channel 5 reported Friday, a steady stream of firefighters poured in throughout the day from Southern and Northern California.

The wildland fire is burning in steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain, requiring more than 400 engines, 14 helicopters, 6 air tankers, 67 bulldozers and 94 hand crews. A bulldozer operator was killed while fighting the fire earlier this week.

57 homes have been destroyed. Two thousand structures are threatened. Containment is now at 15%. The containment date was pushed back Friday from July 31st to August 31st. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.