Firefighters protect homes on California’s Central Coast as blaze explodes in size

The fire, which started as several fires Sunday night about 6:15 p.m., is only 10 percent contained, and firefighters are requesting more resources. A “structure defense group” used bulldozers to build control lines on the fire’s perimeter and other crews began a firing operation to burn the dry vegetation near the road in a controlled manner overnight.

The Cuesta fire, burning east of U.S. 101 and about eight miles north of San Luis Obispo, grew from 100 to 300 acres as embers jumped containment lines and sent the blaze toward Santa Margarita, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

CAL FIRE listed the cause of Sunday night’s fire as “Vehicle” but did not provide any further details. Evacuations were ordered for the area of Santa Margarita south of the railroad tracks and all of Miller Flats.

The incident commander for the Cuesta Fire said Monday’s priorities included keeping the fire out of the Santa Lucia Wilderness in addition to protecting power lines and communication towers.

The communities surrounding the Cuesta Fire can expect to see smoke throughout the day and into the evening. Outdoor activities should be planned for times when smoke levels are low. In the evening these winds change direction and bring smoke back downslope and in to the valley.

A brush fire near a riverbed in Montebello was 80 percent contained at 370 acres, and a 45-year-old man was under arrest on suspicion of arson.

Highway 101 remained open Monday, although lane closures were in place, and drivers were advised to be aware of firefighting equipment in the area. Fire officials say those fires, along with a fire along Highway 41 that started shortly after, and another in Santa Barbara County near Buellton that broke out earlier in the day, were all caused by one vehicle.

– A fire on Cuesta Grade has burned nearly 125 acres as of 8 a.m. Monday morning, according to Cal Fire.