Big Sur wildfire destroys 15 homes, including fire chief’s
December 17, 2013
A wildfire in Big Sur has consumed 500 acres and destroyed 15 homes, including the house of the local fire chief. [LA Times]
The fire began late Sunday night near the intersection of Pfeiffer Ridge Road and Highway 1, close to the Big Sur Lodge. Its cause remains under investigation.
By Tuesday morning, about 625 firefighters had arrived to fight the blaze.
In addition to destroying the homes of Big Sur Fire Chief Martha Karstens and 14 others, the wildfire has forced the evacuation of about 100 people near Highway 1.
“This is an area that hasn’t had fire in a while. A lot of the vegetation is very dry,” said Los Padres National Forest spokesman Andrew Madsen. “This serves as a reminder that fire season in California is year round.”
Fire crews have achieved little, if any containment, but remain optimistic that cooling temperatures will impede the spread of the wire as the week progresses.
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