The Willow Fire, burning in Monterey County’s Ventana Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest, remains at zero percent containment early Saturday evening, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service.
Lynn Olson of the U.S. Forest Service’s Monterey Ranger District Unit office, told Bay City News that the incredibly steep terrain where the fire is burning is creating a serious challenge for firefighters.
“We’re staged, and we’re ready once we can get to it on the ground. Right now, we’re putting on quite an air show,” referring to air support’s assault on the fire with fixed-wing air tankers and water-dropping helicopters battling it from above.
Nearly 350 firefighters are battling this wildfire.
As of 6 p.m., the fire has burned 2,006 acres, Olson said. There is no time estimate as to when the fire will be contained. The fire started at 8:10 p.m. Thursday.
It is currently burning in the Ventana Wilderness northwest of the Arroyo Seco Recreation Area, not far from the Tassajara Zen Center and Hot Springs.
The fire is burning in steep, rugged and brushy terrain that is only accessible to firefighters by hiking in.
“This fire is deep, deep into the wilderness,” Olson said. “From Big Sur at the coast, the terrain rises very rapidly to the 5,000-foot level. It’s very steep.”
Residents near the fire zone have been evacuated from Tassajara Zen Center to China Camp. There is an evacuation warning for areas north of Arroyo Seco Campground to Anastasia Canyon, west of Carmel Valley Road and east of Tassajara Road.
Meanwhile, Monterey County officials opened a temporary evacuation point at the Carmel Valley Library Branch, 65 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. Earlier today, it was providing water, snacks and charging stations for Willow Fire evacuees. Additional days and hours for the temporary evacuation point at the library branch has yet to be determined.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Source: NBC Bay Area
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