Big Sur Evacuated as Wildfires Expand

By Diane Smith
13:28, July 3rd 2008

The massive wildfires that are consuming everything in their path left Californian authorities with no other options but to evacuate almost all the inhabitants of the picturesque Big Sur region and close a 30-mile (48-kilometer) stretch of the state’s coastal Highway 1.

After issuing an order calling on 200 National Guard troops to begin fire training in order to help the exhausted firefighters, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the command center in Big Sur yesterday. The ex-body builder/actor helped synchronize efforts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to contain the Basin Complex fire, which has destroyed 19 structures so far and is only 3 percent contained. Firefighters estimated that the fire would be fully contained by the end of the month.

Numerous teams of firefighters from 41 states came to California and offered their assistance in the huge struggle against the massive blazes. The wildfires have charred 31 homes, 1 commercial establishment, 28 outbuildings, and consumed 440,144 acres statewide.

The fire is reportedly expanding on other fronts, according to John Ahlman, a fire information officer for Los Padres National Forest, Bloomberg reported.

Authorities issued new mandatory evacuation notices for the 30-mile stretch of Highway 1, which is lined with homes and businesses, after the wildfire jumped a fire line in the Los Padres National Forest.

"The fire is just a big raging animal right now," said Darby Marshall, spokesman for the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services, according to The Associated Press.

The blaze near Big Sur contains more than 1,100 wildfires, mostly ignited by lightning. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the massive blaze scorched more than 770 square miles and destroyed 64 homes and buildings since June 20.

"I feel sad for the wilderness and the people who lost their homes. We chose to live in a wilderness among all this beauty, so I know there's that chance you always take," said Janna Fournier, a Big Sur resident.