Renewed Central Coast Wildfire Forces Hundreds To Evacuate

Residents responded to the evacuation order with mixed enthusiasm.

Firefighters also say the fires are worse than previous years, because the drought is feeding them.

It’s not clear how many residences are involved or how many people have been forced from their homes near Kamiah.

Travelstead said she was terrified when she was told to evacuate.

The Cuesta Fire began as three small fires on Sunday evening.

“The fire was blowing through pretty hard”, Swickard said.

In addition to the 740 civilian firefighters now fighting the blaze, another 360 inmates from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are assisting on the Cuesta Fire, said CDCR spokesperson Bill Sessa. The latest fire map can be seen below. Also, classes are scheduled to start up for the year at Santa Margarita Elementary School on Thursday morning, only one day behind schedule.

Residents who attended the briefing expressed gratitude, appreciation and relief afterwards.

Two people, including a firefighter, were treated for minor injuries. It is just 3 percent contained. “We’re making sure the heat is out of it”.

Meanwhile, Cal Fire noted that charred trees and posts should be considered potential fire hazards.

In the Northern Rockies, so many wildfires have ignited this month that officials are letting some that might be suppressed under normal circumstances burn because manpower and equipment are committed elsewhere. He said authorities were looking for all the resources they could muster.

That poses significant danger to firefighters on the ground.

The Cuesta Fire in California’s San Luis Obispo County has grown to some 2,500 acres. But taking extra precautions make it more hard to fight the fire.

The Warm fire burning at Lake Hughes Road in Castaic remained at 300 acres Tuesday and was 75% contained.

Other concerns include wind direction. The fire moved into the Santa Lucia Wilderness August. 17, where it is expected to spread. Evacuations were ordered in the Hume Lake area after the fire jumped state Highway 180.

Most of Kern County woke up to the smell of smoke in the air.

His crew followed another line that had been closer to the flames near Santa Margarita. Bulldozer work was continuing on the east and west sides of the fire.

As KQED reports, “Lightning sparked the fire more than two weeks ago, but it took a turn with this weekend’s hot weather”.

The fire is so big; Kern County Fire is sending their crews to help.