SALINAS VALLEY — Evacuation orders were issued Wednesday for areas west of Greenfield and King City, as the Dolan Fire continues to spread east through the Santa Lucia Range.
The wildfire, about 10 miles south of Big Sur, expanded by another 20,000 acres overnight, lowering its containment percentage from 40% to now 20%. A total of 93,554 acres of Los Padres National Forest’s Ventana Wilderness, including northern portions of Fort Hunter Liggett territory, have been burned as of Wednesday morning.
“The fire burned very actively from the afternoon through the entire evening,” the U.S. Forest Service said in its latest incident overview. “It has made crown runs in timber and in lower elevations moved quickly through chaparral driven by wind and spotting up to 1/2 mile. Fire is burning aggressively at all elevations.”
Zones 24, 26, 27 and 28 are now under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Dolan Fire’s increased activity, and residents in those areas are advised to leave immediately.
Zone 24 includes areas west of Reliz Canyon Road to the intersection of Arroyo Seco Road; south of Arroyo Seco Road to the intersection of Santa Lucia Trail; east of Santa Lucia Trail to the intersection of Bear Mountain Trail; and north of Bear Mountain Trail to the intersection of Reliz Canyon Road.
Zone 26 includes areas west of Jamesburg Road (County Hwy G16) to the intersection with Cahoon Ranch Road; south of Cahoon Ranch Road to Chews Ridge; east of Chews Ridge continuing to where it slopes down to Tassajara Road; east of Tassajara Road to the intersection of Tony Trail; east of Tony Trail to the intersection of Marble Peak Road; north of Marble Peak Road to the intersection of Arroyo Seco Road; and north of Arroyo Seco Road to the intersection of Jamesburg Road.
Zone 27 includes the north boundary of Santa Lucia Road; south to Delventuri Road; west boundary of Road 5; and east to Reliz Canyon.
Zone 28 includes the west boundary of Reliz Canyon; east to Jolon Road; north boundary of bottom of Zone 25; and south to Milpitas Road.
Evacuation warnings were also issued Wednesday for Zone 14A West, west of Soledad and Greenfield, as well as Zones 25 and 29, west of King City and San Lucas. An evacuation warning means those in the specific area should be prepared to evacuate at any time, if a mandatory evacuation order is called.
Zone 14A West includes areas west from Palo Escrito Peak to the intersection of Martin and East Carmel Valley roads, to the intersection of Carmel Valley and Arroyo Seco roads, to the intersection of Paloma Ridge and Arroyo Seco Road; and north along Paloma Ridge to Palo Escrito Peak.
Zone 25 includes the north boundary of Elm Avenue; east boundary of Central Avenue to Highway 101 to the junction of Jolon and San Lucas roads; south boundary of top of Zone 28 to Reliz Canyon Road; and the west boundary of Reliz Canyon Road.
Zone 29 includes the north boundary of San Lucas Road; south to Argyle Road; west boundary of Jolon Road; and east to Highway 101.
For Evacuation Zone maps, go to the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services website.
Monterey County has opened an evacuation center at the King City Library, 404 Broadway St., for residents who are being impacted by the Dolan Fire. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide information and support, snacks, water and device charging.
Limited space is also available at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St., in King City for evacuees who want to shelter in their RVs. They can check in at the Administrative Office or call 831-385-3243.
Highway 1 is closed from north of Vista Point, south to Pacific Valley. In addition, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is closed to all traffic from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter Liggett base boundary line.
More than 700 personnel have been assigned to the Dolan Fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
