Willow Fire, 6/25/21, Day 9

Tonight’s simple version update from USFS: “Continued work by firefighters has increased the containment to 32% and held the acres burned to 2,877.”

And this is the rugged terrain these young men and women have been working in:

Willow Fire:  June 25, 2021 Update

Email: willowfirepio@gmail.com

Incident Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7549/ 

Social Media: Twitter: @LosPadresNF   Facebook: @Los Padres National Forest 

Los Padres National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/pnf

Fire Information Phone: (831) 244-3205 Hours: 8am-9pm

INCIDENT INFORMATION

Command: Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and CIIMT 11

Additional Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: CAL Fire, California Highway Patrol, Big Sur Fire Department, Cachagua Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management, CalTrans, Monterey Office of Emergency Services (OES)

Start Date: 06/17/2021Location: Los Padres National Forest,Monterey County, CAResidences Threatened: 0 Residences Damaged: 0Mixed Commercial/Residential threatened: 0

Size: 2,877 acresPercent containment: 26 %Cause: Under InvestigationResidences Destroyed: 0Personnel on the Incident: 412

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

The last four days of favorable weather have significantly reduced the heat within the Willow Fire area and enabled firefighters to make progress on direct line construction where it is safe to do so. The fire stayed within the existing perimeter and little smoke was generated by hot spots near the fires edge.

Contingency fire control lines (away from the fires edge) that were constructed earlier during the fire are now in the process of being stabilized conducting suppression repair.  Water bars are being constructed to direct water off exposed soil and vegetation is being spread to slow the waters flow on fire lines that are not anticipated to be used.

As this critical work continues, firefighting resources no longer needed to meet the fire suppression objectives are being slowly released back to their home units or being reassigned to other fires. 

Today is a weather transition day, with warmer and dryer air settling into the area. This change will help firefighters identify hot spots within the fire area and direct helicopters and hand crews extinguish any threats to the fire lines.

FOREST CLOSURE:

Forest Order Number 05-07-51-21-08 – WILLOW FIRE AREA, ROAD AND TRAIL CLOSURE.

This Order is in effect June 24, 2021 until July 23, 2021. The Forest Order may be viewed at Los Padres National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)

WEATHER:

A low-pressure system off the coast will be replaced by a much larger high pressure area influencing weather over the entire west coast. Locally, temperatures will increase to the 90s with relative humidity’s lowering to the 20s. Fortunately, winds are not forecast to be high. The fire is not expected to significantly increase in size during this time.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES:

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains in Unified Command with Los Padres National Forest and California Interagency Incident Management Team 11. There are changes to the Evacuation Warning and Order areas.

Effective 5:00 p.m., June 24, 2021, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is lifting/modifying the following Evacuation Warnings and Orders and Road Closures:

Evacuation Warnings Lifted:

• Zone WF-2: Tassajara Rd from China Camp Campground in Los Padres National Forest northwest to Kincannon Canyon.
• Zone WF-3b: Areas east of Woodtick Canyon on Arroyo Seco Rd to Millers Ranch at the Carmel Valley Rd junction.
• Zone WF-4: Areas north of Arroyo Secco Campground to Anastasia Canyon; west of Carmel Valley Rd, and East of Tassajara Rd.

Evacuation Orders Downgraded to Warnings:

• Zone WF-1: Tassajara Rd from the Zen Center northwest to China Camp Campground in the Los Padres National Forest, includes tributary Forest Routes and the Tassajara Zen Center.
• Zone WF-3a: All areas of Arroyo Secco Rd west of Woodtick Canyon, to include the Arroyo Seco Campground, Rocky Creek Rd, Camp Cawatre.

Note: Zones WF-1 and WF-3a should remain vigilant and be prepared to leave again if officials tell you to or you feel that your safety is threatened.

Evacuation Order Remaining in Effect:

• Zone WF-6: West of Santa Lucia Creek, east of Black Cone Peak, north of the Dolan Fire scar, and south of the Tassajara Hot Springs.

Closures:

The evacuation changes do not include the Willow fire area that is under closure order per Forest Order 05-01-51-21-08. The order can be viewed at Monterey Ranger District’s website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5347980). 

As residents return, smoke may be seen from inside the fire perimeter. Firefighters will still be working in the area and monitoring. Please be aware of your surroundings and changing conditions. If you see a fire or have an emergency, call 911. Narrow country roads are still being utilized for response purposes, please drive cautiously as crews will continue to work in the area. 

Evacuation map: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/office-of-emergency-services/response/2021-wildfires