The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the 2020 Dolan, River and Carmel Fire Burn Areas as well as the 2021 Willow Fire Burn Areas in Effect from Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night. The Flash Flood Watch includes a portion of northern California including the following areas, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest with Lingering showers on Monday. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings are issued. More Info: https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=62818668

“but also high risk of burn area flooding/debris flows“

From Daniel Swain’s Weather West blog (read the entire post here: weatherwest.com/archives/11466)

“In Northern California, it has been a good old rainy week. Many spots have seen a couple inches or more; nearly everywhere has seen at least enough for some modest puddles. In some areas, the amount of rain that has already fallen is probably enough to greatly attenuate or end fire season. “

“…one of the strongest October storms in some years (perhaps a decade or more in some NorCal locations) will likely occur on Sunday. This moisture delivery system will be in the form of a strong atmospheric river.” 

“Stormy conditions are expected to begin early Sunday and ramp up through the day in NorCal. “

“Very intense rainfall rates of 1/2 to 1 inch per hour will be possible for a couple of hours“

Daniel Swain is the man weather wise. He just posted this on twitter:
Seeing a “category 5” #AtmosphericRiver in central California in Oct would be extremely impressive, yet that’s looking increasingly possible on Sunday. With record-dry soils, impacts will be different than mid- winter event. Risks highest near wildfire burn areas.  #CAwx #CAfire

__________

Open letter to Dear Frank Linnenbrink from Lucas Ryan. If you don’t know Frank, he is one of the kindest people you’ve ever met. Thank you Lisa, and everyone who is caring for Frank.

Frank, you are always there for us. Thank you for taking us to Church. We will always think, what would Frankie do? With so much love, thank you! We appreciate you, words cannot describe, actually, completely shattered right now.

Please, ride on! (so fast) We’ll be catching up withyou soon (no chance)

(Frank worked as a lineman for PG&E for many years. We rode motorcycles together. He actually married my wife and I, and many others. Frank is an all-life minister, and popular amongst the Big Sur community. Please send thoughts and prayers, as he is in the late stages of battling a serious illness. Frankie passed away around 11:45 pm, October 20th -Lucas Ryan)

Thank you signs are the least that we can do to show our support for all the Firefighters, Law Enforcement, Support Personnel, and Volunteers who helped with the Carmel and River fires. Here are a few signs that are posted up around Carmel Valley Village.  And, thank you for all that you do!

Carmel Fire (Day 9) and River Fire (Day 11) post. Unless things change, today’s post will be the final daily update for these fires. River Fire is at 48% containment and Carmel is at 45% so it seems we have turned the corner on these two fires. Please refer to the Office of Emergency Services response page here for updates. A big THANK YOU to all the Firefighters and Volunteers! 

CalFire Incident page Carmel & River  CalFire Facebook Updates here. Sheriff Facebook Updates here. Monterey County Office of Emergency Services Facebook here

Carmel Fire: 6,695 acres burned, 40% contained, 801 personnel assigned, 50 residence destroyed, 23 other structures destroyed, damage assessment is ~54% complete.

River Fire: 48,424 acres burned, 48% contained, 1,183 personnel assigned, 13 residences destroyed, 17 other structures destroyed, damage assessment is ~90% complete.

Dolan Fire: 20,397 acres burned, 15% containment.

Morning Briefing 7AM:

“This is Soberanes land. Many of us spent a lifetime here.” “We need every one of you, every one of you, to finish this incident, go to the next, and get home to your families safe and sound, with stories and not scars.” “Collectively, you bring order to the chaos that was occurring here just a week ago … Thank you for all you’re doing.” -Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter

“We are in a marathon” “… the battle is not over until you’re home with your families”. – Unified Incident Commander George 

7:15 AM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (from 08/25/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from Monday at 11:25 PM. Note: the red circles inside the fire outlines are not new satellite detections. They are isolated heat sources as detected by an infrared camera mounted to an airplane. 

Carmel_River_Fire_082620

River infrared (8/25/20): 20200826_River_IR_map_11x17_naip

Carmel infrared (8/25/20): 20200826_Carmel_IR_map_11x17_naip

From the Incident Action Plan:

PIO Map:

Ops Map North: ops_IR_north_arch_e_land_0825_2250_River_BEU004024_0826

Ops Map South: ops_IR_South_arch_e_land_River_BEU004024_opt

Evacuation  Notifications here   (note: select the DASHBOARD tab from a desktop computer for a detailed map with hot spots plus evacuation zones)

Fire Recovery Information can be found here.

1. Carmel Valley Village near Meg’s Chevron and
2. Tassajara Rd and Carmel Valley starting August 25, 2020 from 5:00pm-8:30pm and will open again on Tuesday, August 26, 2020 from at 8:00am – 8:00pm.

Evacuation Map can be found here (Red is Order, Yellow is Warning, Green is Lifted) The map below is from 8:30 AM: 

Carmel Fire Update 7AM:

River Fire Update 7AM:

For other information sources see:

• Office of Emergency Services response page here
• Quick reference of key resources to stay up-to-date here
• National interagency Fire Center Map can be found here
• Current Wind can be found here
• Alert Wildfire Camera here
• Scanner Fire & Sheriff
• Air Traffic here
• Road Closures here
• CalFire’s Ready, Set, Go! Checklist here (see page 9)
• Twitter links: #RiverFire and #CarmelFire

Carmel Fire (Day 8) and River Fire (Day 10) post. Click the title to open in a separate window, and refresh this page throughout the day. Please be patient with CalFire and Monterey County Sheriff as they release information about the status of the fires and the evacuation orders. Thank you.

CalFire Incident page Carmel & River  CalFire Facebook Updates here. Sheriff Facebook Updates here. Monterey County Office of Emergency Services Facebook here

Cal Fire evening updates:

Evacuation Orders Lifted – Zones 19a, C-Zone 5, R-Zones 7 & 13a

CARMEL FIRE 

The evacuation ORDER and WARNING covering Zone 19A on Esquiline Rd as it travels south, it becomes Southbank Rd which becomes Hitchcock Rd is being LIFTED.The evacuation ORDER and evacuation WARNING covering C-Zone 5 all areas south/west including Tassajara Road from Miller Canyon to East Carmel Valley Road to include Chew’s Ridge, Kincannon Road, Lambert Flat, Parrot Ranch Road and tributaries. Tassajara Road west to Miller Canyon, including Miller Canyon is being LIFTED at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 

River Fire 

The evacuation ORDER and WARNING covering R-Zone 7 West of River Road from Limekiln Road to Gonzales River Road AND R-Zone 13 A all areas and roads west of River Road to Palo Escrito Peak and extending south from Gonzales River Road to Puma Road is being LIFTED at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020. The EVACUATION ORDER for R-Zone 13 to include all areas and roads east of Carmel Valley Roadto Palo Escrito Peak from south of Tassajara Road to Finch Creeknot to include Carmel Valley Road REMAINS IN PLACE. 

Know Your Zone: https://montereyco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=905a9458324b4868804d96b5593eb978

Returning Home 

Residents can access comfort kits, Personal Protective Equipment, and bottled water at a Commodity Point of Distribution (C-POD). C-PODS have been set up at 1) Carmel Valley Village and 2) Tassajara Rd and Carmel Valley starting August 25, 2020 from 5:00pm-8:30pm and will open again on Tuesday, August 26, 2020 from at 8:00am – 8:00pm. 

Some homes may still be without water and water systems may have lost pressure or was disconnected from electrical power for a period of time, it is advisable to make sure it is not contaminated with coliform bacteria. To see if your well and piping system maintained positive pressure during the fire, turn on a faucet in the household to see if water comes out. You should not hear any air being released from the faucet. The flow of water should be steady and uninterrupted. If you do hear air escaping from the faucet with water intermittently spurting out when it is turned on, that is an indication that the well and household plumbing had a loss of pressure and should be checked to make sure it is bacteriologically safe. More at https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health/environmental-health/general/recovering-after-a-wildfire 

Evacuation Orders and Warnings Lifted for R-Zones 1a and 2a (Berry Dr and Mesa) 3PM:

The Evacuation Order for Zone 1a and 2a have been lifted as of 3:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020. These areas include Pine Canyon Rd. west of Mesa and Berry Dr. west of Enos Dr. 

Evacuation  Notifications here   (note: select the DASHBOARD tab from a desktop computer for a detailed map with hot spots plus evacuation zones)

Evacuation Map can be found here (Red is Order, Yellow is Warning, Green is Lifted) The map below is from 5:30 PM:

River Fire 48,424 acres 33% contained, Carmel Fire 6,695 acres 30% contained, Dolan Fire 20,091 acres 10% contained.

1:15 PM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (white line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from Monday at 1:54 PM: Carmel_River_Fire2_082520

7:00 AM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (white line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from Monday at 2:48 PM: Carmel_River_Fire_082520

Infrared Imaging underway at 1:20 PM:

Current View as of 1:15 PM:

View as of 7AM:

Carmel Fire:

River Fire:

Monday’s 7PM Briefing:

Incident Action Plan can be found here:

Operations Map North (click to open – large PDF file):

Operations Map South (click to open – large PDF file):

For other information sources see:

• Office of Emergency Services response page here
• Quick reference of key resources to stay up-to-date here
• National interagency Fire Center Map can be found here
• Current Wind can be found here
• Alert Wildfire Camera here
• Scanner Fire & Sheriff
• Air Traffic here
• Road Closures here
• CalFire’s Ready, Set, Go! Checklist here (see page 9)
• Twitter links: #RiverFire and #CarmelFire

Carmel Fire (Day 7) and River Fire (Day 9) post. Click the title to open in a separate window, and refresh this page throughout the day. Please be patient with CalFire and Monterey County Sheriff as they release information about the status of the fires and the evacuation orders. Thank you.
CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Media Line: 831-647-6257 Release Date: August 24, 2020 Public Information: 925-532-5455 Time: 1:00 P.M.
RIVER AND CARMEL FIRES REPOPULATION
WHAT: Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Warnings Lifted on the River and Carmel Fires DATE/TIME: August 24, 2020 at 1:00 P.M.
WHERE: Areas of repopulation in the following zones
EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED:
• Zone 1: Pine Canyon Rd, Parker Rd, Laurel Ln, and Trimble Hill Ln. EXCEPTION:
Pine Canyon Rd west of Mesa REMAIN UNDER EVACUATION ORDER
• Zone 2: South of River Rd from Tara Dr to Pine Canyon Rd to include all roads off Las Palmas Pkwy, Ranchito Dr, Indian Springs Rd, Redding Dr, and Belmont Circle. EXCEPTION:
Berry Dr west of Enos Dr REMAIN UNDER EVACUATION ORDER.
• Zone 4: Southwest of Parker Rd, northwest of Corral De Cielo Rd, and Rana Creek. Southeast of the intersection of Chualar River Rd and River Rd, northwest of Limekiln.
• Zone 5: Harper Canyon area, all areas within north of San Benancio Rd, west of Troy Ln, southeast of Harper Canyon Rd, to include Harper Canyon Road, Weather Rock Way, and Rimrock Canyon Rd.
• Zone 6: West of River Rd from Parker Rd, South to Limekiln Rd to include Limekiln Rd.
• Zone 8: All areas south of Highway 68, east of San Benancio Rd to include San Benancio Rd south to Harper Canyon Rd

• Zone 10: All areas south within the intersection of Hwy 68 and River Road to Tara Drive and Hwy 68 south to San Benancio Road, including the Los Palmas 1 and 117 Drive Communities. This order does not include the Toro Regional Main Park area.
EVACUATION WARNINGS LIFTED:
• Zone 3: Indian Canyon, Mt. Toto Access Rd and San Benancio Rd from Troy Ln to
Corral de Tierra, including Corral del Cielo Rd, Lucie Ln, and Covie Ln.
• Zone 9,11: Areas North of Highway 68 from Portola Drive and Veronica Drive/Estoque Place east, to include all roads off Portola Drive to Creekside Court.
THERE WILL BE ROAD CLOSURES AT:
• Pine Canyon Rd at Mesa Rd • Berry Dr at Enos Dr
To view the River and Carmel Fires Evacuation Map please visit:
https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/office-of- emergency-services/situational-awareness/public-alert-warning
SAFETY MESSAGE: The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and evacuation orders or warnings. If you see electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact PG&E immediately. For those who may be utilizing backup generators, please review the generator use safety information at https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/electrical-safety/electric-generator-safety/electric-generator- safety.page?WT.pgeac=PSPS_FAQ-GeneratorSafety. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoldering, should be considered hazardous. Please drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area.
Please visit http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health for public health or https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health/behavioral-health for behavioral health concerns.
For additional information on the River and Carmel Fires, Monterey County residents should contact River and Carmel Fires Information Line at (831) 647-6257or 211. To sign up for emergency alert notifications visit: http://www.alertmontereycounty.org
For more information on wildfire, visit CAL FIRE online at http://www.readyforwildfire.org ###

Evacuation Orders and Warnings Lifted for Zones 17, 18, 20, 21 and Portions of 19

The Evacuation Orders and Warnings covering the areas of Carmel Valley, Corral de Tierra, and San Benancio are being lifted effective at 9:00am on Monday, August 24, 2020. This covers the entirety of evacuation order Zones 17, and 18 and the northern portion of Zone 19. The Evacuation Warnings in Zone 20 and 21 are also being lifted. The southern portion of Zone 19 from the intersection of Esquiline Rd. at Carmel Valley Rd remains under an Evacuation Order. As Esquiline Rd travels south, it becomes Southbank Rd. which becomes Hitchcock Rd and will form the northern boundary of the current evacuation order. (click image to open map, please see additional Warnings/Orders below)

**Cancelled** Red Flag Warnings is still in effect through 5:00 p.m. Monday for dry lightning with gusty and erratic winds. Potential gusts as high as 65 mph can be expected with thunderstorms (North State Red Flag Warning still in effect). Still, a threat of pop-up thunderstorms, and somewhat of a lighting threat. Big terrain-driven “swirly” winds on the River Fire.  Westerly influenced winds on the Carmel Fire. Temperatures are the same as yesterday, humidity is up.

CalFire Incident page Carmel & River  CalFire Facebook Updates here. Sheriff Facebook Updates here. Monterey County Office of Emergency Services Facebook here

7AM CalFire Incident Briefing (video starts at 4:40, see detailed Day Operations Plan at 12:00, please note the date is incorrect on the title):

River: 48,424 acres, 23% contained, 1,274 personnel assigned, 8 residences damaged, 8 residences destroyed, 1 minor structure damaged, and 13 minor structures destroyed, damage inspection is 50% complete, delivered 305,000 gallons of water and over 281,000 gallons of fire retardant.

Carmel: 6,695 acres 15% contained, 909 personnel assigned, 5 residences damaged, 35 residences destroyed, 16 minor structures damaged, 2 minor structures destroyed, damage inspection 54% complete, delivered over 197,000 gallons of water and over 9,000 gallons of fire retardant.

Dolan: as of 8PM, 19,287 acres, 10% contained, 579 personnel.

“Facts to know: In 2019 we only had 13,000 acres burned in all of California. As of 2020, we’ve had over 500,000 acres burned, so these are unprecedented times.” -Unified Incident Commander

“…these fires are in very sensitive archaeology rich area, in particular, the Carmel Fire … we’ve already have a few sites that have gotten hit … if you see this (special zone flagging) if  at all possible, keep the equipment out of there.” -CalFire Archaeologist

9:45 AM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (white line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from 3:24 AM PM. (please see Important Caveat note at the bottom of this post)

Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire2_082420

Fire Break looking down Osborne Ridge towards Buck Mountain at 6:15 PM, Sunday evening (8/23/20):

Fire Break looking up Osborne Ridge at 6:15 PM, Sunday evening (8/24/20):

Bulldozers working “on top of the ridge above the ballpark”, at 10PM, Sunday evening (8/23/20):

Today’s INCIDENT ACTION PLAN DETAILED MAPS

Operations Map North (click to open – large PDF file):

Operations Map South (click to open – large PDF file):

Evacuation  Notifications here   (note: select the DASHBOARD tab from a desktop computer for a detailed map with hot spots plus evacuation zones)

Evacuation Orders and Warnings Lifted for Zones 17, 18, 20, 21 and Portions of 19

Evacuation Warning – Zone 24 ( Arroyo Seco Rd, Campgrounds and Pine Canyon Rd, outside of KingCity)

Evacuation Order – R Zone 14 (River Road to Arroyo Seco)

Evacuation Warning – Zone 21 (West on Carmel Valley Road from Pinetree Lane to Rancho San Carlos) 

Evacuation Warning – Zone 20 

Evacuation Order – Zones 19 (West of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pinetree Lane)  

Evacuation Order – Zone 17 and 18 (East of Carmel Valley Road to Laureless Grade and Highway 68) 

Evacuation Map can be found here (Red is Order, Yellow is Warning)

Resources for Evacuees

Here is a list of all county evacuation shelters:

From SPCA: The SPCA is currently under an evacuation warning. We are safe, and we are here for you and your pets. We have been prepared for this for years. We are currently moving supplies and animals to the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Hitchcock Road Animal Services. We are doing this now so that we can continue our promise to always be here for you. (831) 373-2631

PIO Maps:

Related Links

• National Fire Situational Awareness (NFSA) Tool
• National Weather Service
• California Highway Patrol
• Monterey Country Sheriff’s Office
• Big Sur Land Trust
• Cal Trans Road Information
• California State Parks
• California Governors Office of Emergency Services
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance
• California Smoke Information Blog
• Monterey County Alerts
• Ready Set Go – Ready for Wildfire
• FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions

Incident Cooperators

• USDA Forest Service
• Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade
• California Department of Parks & Recreation
• California Department Of Transportation
• California Highway Patrol
• California State Office of Emergency Services
• Monterey County Sherriff
• National Weather Service
• USDA Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance

For other information sources see:

• Office of Emergency Services response page here
• Quick reference of key resources to stay up-to-date here
• National interagency Fire Center Map can be found here
• Current Wind can be found here
• Alert Wildfire Camera here
• Scanner Fire & Sheriff
• Air Traffic here
• Road Closures here
• CalFire’s Ready, Set, Go! Checklist here (see page 9)
• Twitter links: #RiverFire and #CarmelFire

Important caveats: Please note that the squares on the heat detection maps represent the expected margin of error, not the size of the area burned. In other words, the detection could have come from anywhere within the square. Also be aware that false detections do sometimes occur. An outlying or “over the line” heat detection is not, by itself, a confirmation that there is fire in the area indicated. In addition, the satellites do not detect heat everywhere that fire exists. Creeping, backing or smoldering fire is often not detected. Finally, the detections are only snapshots of moments in time. Flare ups that occur before or after a satellite pass may be entirely missed.

Also be aware that yellow squares disappear from the map after 6 days. These are not maps of the area burned since the fire began, just maps of where heat has been detected during the past week.

Carmel (Day 6) and River (Day 8) are combined into one post. Click the title to open a separate window, refresh this page throughout the day. Stay safe and smart. Please maintain situational awareness at all times. Scroll down for “unofficial” satellite imagery updated 7:05 AM. A Red Flag Warning was issued for Sunday 5AM to Monday 5PM. CalFire Incident page Carmel & River  CalFire Facebook Updates here. Sheriff Facebook Updates here. Monterey County Office of Emergency Services Facebook here

4:25 PM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (white line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from 3:42 AM PM. (please see Important Caveat note at the bottom of this post)

Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire2_082320

#RiverFire and #CarmelFire 8.23.20 AM Operational Briefing

Carmel Fire Morning Update

River Fire Morning Update

River Fire at 48,424 acres, 15% contained, 19 structures destroyed. Last night the southern portion of the fire continued to actively burn to the south with winds from the northwest. The east side continued to back down to the dozer lines and agricultural fields and interior islands continued to burn remaining fuel.

The fire is expected to continue to burn on the southern end of the fire. The wind shift will be the concern on the southern edge, allowing the fire to out grow the current lines on the southeast portion of the fire. If the fire moves too far south when the winds move to the southeast flow, it could merge into the Carmel Fire.

EVACUATION ORDER FOR HIGHWAY 68 AREAS, CARMEL VALLEY VILLAGE, ARROYO SECO AREAS, ETC.:

Evacuation  Notifications here   (note: select the DASHBOARD tab from a desktop computer for a detailed map with hot spots plus evacuation zones)

Evacuation Warning – Zone 24 ( Arroyo Seco Rd, Campgrounds and Pine Canyon Rd, outside of KingCity) 8:52 PM

Evacuation Order – R Zone 14 (River Road to Arroyo Seco) 5:00 PM

Evacuation Warning – Zone 21 (West on Carmel Valley Road from Pinetree Lane to Rancho San Carlos) 10:03 AM

Evacuation Warning – Zone 20 9:55 AM:

Evacuation Order – Zones 19 (West of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pinetree Lane) 9:01 AM

Evacuation Order – Zone 17 and 18 (East of Carmel Valley Road to Laureless Grade and Highway 68) 9:00 AM

Evacuation Map can be found here (Red is Order, Yellow is Warning)

Resources for Evacuees

Here is a list of all county evacuation shelters:

From SPCA: The SPCA is currently under an evacuation warning. We are safe, and we are here for you and your pets. We have been prepared for this for years. We are currently moving supplies and animals to the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Hitchcock Road Animal Services. We are doing this now so that we can continue our promise to always be here for you.

7:05 AM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (white line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from 2:54 AM PT (please see Important Caveat note at the bottom of this post)

Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire_082320

Palo Escrito View: Carmel_River_Fire_Escrito_082320

Sleepy Hollow View: Carmel_River_Fire_Sleepy_082320

Maps by John Chesnut: River 8_23 AM

Carmel 8_23 AM v2

PIO Maps:

Saturday Evening CalFire Update:

Weather Watch in effect:

The greatest threat for elevated thunderstorms will be from Sunday night into Monday morning. Lightning and gusty winds have the potential to produce new fire starts. Now is the time to prepare if a fire starts near you. Visit http://readyforwildfire.org for more info. #CaWx

Yesterday’s Contingency Map (large PDF file with current CalFire contingency lines): Contingency_36x48_Land_20200821_0447

Yesterday’s PIO Map: PIO 112×17 8-22

Related Links

• National Fire Situational Awareness (NFSA) Tool
• National Weather Service
• California Highway Patrol
• Monterey Country Sheriff’s Office
• Big Sur Land Trust
• Cal Trans Road Information
• California State Parks
• California Governors Office of Emergency Services
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance
• California Smoke Information Blog
• Monterey County Alerts
• Ready Set Go – Ready for Wildfire
• FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions

Incident Cooperators

• USDA Forest Service
• Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade
• California Department of Parks & Recreation
• California Department Of Transportation
• California Highway Patrol
• California State Office of Emergency Services
• Monterey County Sherriff
• National Weather Service
• USDA Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance

For other information sources see:

• Office of Emergency Services response page here
• Quick reference of key resources to stay up-to-date here
• National interagency Fire Center Map can be found here
• Current Wind can be found here
• Alert Wildfire Camera here
• Scanner Fire & Sheriff
• Air Traffic here
• Road Closures here
• CalFire’s Ready, Set, Go! Checklist here (see page 9)
• Twitter links: #RiverFire and #CarmelFire

Important caveats: Please note that the squares on the heat detection maps represent the expected margin of error, not the size of the area burned. In other words, the detection could have come from anywhere within the square. Also be aware that false detections do sometimes occur. An outlying or “over the line” heat detection is not, by itself, a confirmation that there is fire in the area indicated. In addition, the satellites do not detect heat everywhere that fire exists. Creeping, backing or smoldering fire is often not detected. Finally, the detections are only snapshots of moments in time. Flare ups that occur before or after a satellite pass may be entirely missed.

Also be aware that yellow squares disappear from the map after 6 days. These are not maps of the area burned since the fire began, just maps of where heat has been detected during the past week.

Carmel (Day 5) and River (Day 7) are combined into one post. Click the title to open a separate window, refresh this page throughout the day. Stay safe and smart. Please maintain situational awareness at all times.

Scroll down for “unofficial” satellite imagery updated 7:30PM. A Red Flag Warning was issued for Sunday 5AM to Monday 5PM.

CalFire Incident page Carmel & River  CalFire Facebook Updates here. Sheriff Facebook Updates here.

EVACUATION ORDER FOR HIGHWAY 68 AREAS, CARMEL VALLEY VILLAGE, ARROYO SECO AREAS, ETC.:

Evacuation Shelters:

• The Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey
• Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel
• Sherwood Hall, 940 North Main Street, Salinas
• Evacuation Center
• King City Library, 402 Broadway, King City. Open 8 am to 8 pm.

From SPCA: The SPCA is currently under an evacuation warning. We are safe, and we are here for you and your pets. We have been prepared for this for years. We are currently moving supplies and animals to the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Hitchcock Road Animal Services. We are doing this now so that we can continue our promise to always be here for you.

Evacuation Warning – Zone 24 ( Arroyo Seco Rd, Campgrounds and Pine Canyon Rd, outside of King City) 8:52 PM

Due to fire activity on the southern end of the River Fire, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for Zone 24 which include all areas South of the intersection of East Carmel Valley Road and Arroyo Seco Road to the intersection of Arroyo Seco Road and Elm Avenue, to the intersection of Elm Avenue and Central Avenue. All areas West of the intersections of Elm Avenue and Central Avenue south to the intersection of Central Avenue and Highway 101 to the intersection of Highway 101 and Jolon Road to the intersection of Jolon Road and San Lucas Road. All areas North from the intersection of Jolon Road and San Lucas Road to Junipero Serra Peak. All areas East of Junipero Serra Peak to East Carmel Valley Road. To include the communities from the Green Bridge west to the end of Arroyo Seco Rd. To inlcude Arroyo Seco Rd, the Gorge, Millers Lodge, Freds Camp, Sycamore Flats, and Pine Canyon Rd outside of King City. The Evacuation Warning for Zone 24 includes the Arroyo Seco Resort and Recreation Site/Campgrounds; The map has been updated to reflect this inclusion. The Pine Canyon Road referenced in the areas east of Junipero Serra Peak is outside of King City.

Evacuation Order – R Zone 14 (River Road to Arroyo Seco) 5:00 PM

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order R Zone 14 which includes all areas east of Carmel Valley Road extending south from finch Creek to Arroyo Seco Rd. All areas west of River Road and Fort Romie Road and Arroyo Seco Road extending South to Elm Avenue and Arroyo Seco Rd.

Evacuation Warning – Zone 21 (West on Carmel Valley Road from Pinetree Lane to Rancho San Carlos) 10:03 AM

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for Zone 21 which includes areas west on Carmel Valley Road from Pinetree Lane to Rancho San Carlos. This warning includes all communities south of Carmel Valley Road to include Carmel Valley Road, Rancho San Carlos and all tributary roads. 

Evacuation Warning – Zone 20 9:55 AM:

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for Zone 20 which includes all areas and roads south of Highway 68 from Laureles Grade Road extending west to York Road/Camino Saucito and extending south to Carmel Valley Road. All areas and roads north of Carmel Valley Road from Laureles Grade Road extending west to Schetter Road. 

Evacuation Order – Zones 19 (West of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pinetree Lane) 9:01 AM

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for Zone 19 including areas west of Carmel Valley Road from Klondike Canyon Road to Pine Tree Lane extending south to Dormody Road and east to Hitchcock Canyon Road and San Clemente Drive. The Evacuation Order includes all communities of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pine Tree Lane, including Carmel Valley Village and Robles Del Rio. Leave the area.

Evacuation Order – Zone 17 and 18 (East of Carmel Valley Road to Laureless Grade and Highway 68) 9:00 AM

Zone 17: All areas south of Highway 68 from San Benancio Road to Laureles Grade. To include all roads east of Laureles Grade at La Rancheria Rd to the south, and all areas west of San Benancio Road. EVACUATION ORDER

Zone 18: From Klondike Canyon Road to Laureles Grade, North on Laureles Grade from Carmel Valley Road to La Rancheria. Includes all communities North East of Carmel Valley Road, and all communities East of Laureles Grade to include Carmel Valley Road, Laureles Grade, La Rancheria and all tributary roads. EVACUATION ORDER

Evacuation  Notifications can be found here   (note: select the DASHBOARD tab from a desktop computer for a detailed map with hot spots plus evacuation zones)

Evacuation Map can be found here (Red is Order, Yellow is Warning)

Carmel Fire Incident Update 7 PM:

River Fire Incident Update 7 PM:

The greatest threat for elevated thunderstorms will be from Sunday night into Monday morning. Lightning and gusty winds have the potential to produce new fire starts. Now is the time to prepare if a fire starts near you. Visit http://readyforwildfire.org for more info. #CaWx

Weather Watch in effect:

Contingency Map (large PDF file with current CalFire contingency lines): Contingency_36x48_Land_20200821_0447

PIO Map: PIO 112×17 8-22

7:30 PM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (white line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from 2:30 PM PT (please see Important Caveat note at the bottom of this post, false detections do sometimes occur, satellites do not detect heat everywhere that fire exists, the detections are only snapshots of moments in time). Also, as a reminder, these images are not official information.

Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire4_082220

Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire_Escrito4_082220

7:00 AM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (orange line from 08/20/20). The Latest satellite heat detection spots are from 4:00 AM PT (please see Important Caveat note at the bottom of this post)

Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire3_082220

Palo Escrito View: Carmel_River_Fire_Escrito3_082220

Maps by John Chesnut: Carmel Morning 8_22

River Morning 8_22

Friday Evening update:

Related Links

• National Fire Situational Awareness (NFSA) Tool
• National Weather Service
• California Highway Patrol
• Monterey Country Sheriff’s Office
• Big Sur Land Trust
• Cal Trans Road Information
• California State Parks
• California Governors Office of Emergency Services
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance
• California Smoke Information Blog
• Monterey County Alerts
• Ready Set Go – Ready for Wildfire
• FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions

Incident Cooperators

• USDA Forest Service
• Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade
• California Department of Parks & Recreation
• California Department Of Transportation
• California Highway Patrol
• California State Office of Emergency Services
• Monterey County Sherriff
• National Weather Service
• USDA Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance

For other information sources see:

• Office of Emergency Services response page here
• Quick reference of key resources to stay up-to-date here
• National interagency Fire Center Map can be found here
• Current Wind can be found here
• Alert Wildfire Camera here
• Scanner Fire & Sheriff
• Air Traffic here
• Road Closures here
• CalFire’s Ready, Set, Go! Checklist here (see page 9)
• Twitter links: #RiverFire and #CarmelFire

Important caveats: Please note that the squares on the heat detection maps represent the expected margin of error, not the size of the area burned. In other words, the detection could have come from anywhere within the square. Also be aware that false detections do sometimes occur. An outlying or “over the line” heat detection is not, by itself, a confirmation that there is fire in the area indicated. In addition, the satellites do not detect heat everywhere that fire exists. Creeping, backing or smoldering fire is often not detected. Finally, the detections are only snapshots of moments in time. Flare ups that occur before or after a satellite pass may be entirely missed.

Also be aware that yellow squares disappear from the map after 6 days. These are not maps of the area burned since the fire began, just maps of where heat has been detected during the past week.

Carmel (Day 4) and River (Day 6) are combined into one post at the moment. Please click the title of the post to open a separate window, and refresh the page as the post will be updated throughout the day. 

Carmel Incident Update:

River Incident Update:

3:39 PM: EVACUATION WARNING FOR ALL OF CARMEL VALLEY VILLAGE TO LAURELES GRADE

Evacuation  Notifications can be found here

Evacuation Map can be found here (Red is Order, Yellow is Warning)

(click the image to open the map, Yellow is warning, Red is Evacuation Order, map is subject to change at any time)

Carmel/River Fires – Evacuation Warning for East of Carmel Valley Road to Laureless Grade and Highway 68 3:40 PM:

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for all areas East of Carmel Valley Road, North to Laureless Grade, East of Laureless Grade to Highway 68 to include areas West of San Benancio Road and the Corral de Tierra community. 

Zone 17: All areas south of Highway 68 from San Benancio Road to Laureles Grade. To include all roads east of Laureles Grade at La Rancheria Rd to the south, and all areas west of San Benancio Road. EVACUATION WARNING

Zone 18: We are extending the evacuation warning west on Carmel Valley road from Klondike Canyon Road to Laureles Grade, North on Laureles Grade from Carmel Valley Road to La Rancheria. This warning includes all communities North East of Carmel Valley Road, and all communities East of Laureles Grade to include Carmel Valley Road, Laureles Grade, La Rancheria and all tributary roads. EVACUATION WARNING

Carmel/River Fires – Evacuation Warning for West of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pinetree Lane 3:38 PM

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for areas west of Carmel Valley Road from Klondike Canyon Road to Pine Tree Lane extending south to Dormody Road and east to Hitchcock Canyon Road and San Clemente Drive. This Warning includes all communities on Carmel Valley Road and all communities south west of Carmel Valley Road between Klondike Canyon and Pine Tree Lane, including Carmel Valley Village, Robles Del Rio. 

Weather Watch in effect from Sunday morning through Tuesday morning.

* AFFECTED AREA…Entire San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast. Areas of highest concern will be included in future updates.
* WIND…Generally light onshore winds. However, erratic gusty winds 40 to 65 mph may accompany stronger thunderstorms.
* THUNDERSTORMS…Isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms will develop Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning. An additional round of thunderstorms are expected to arrive later Monday into Tuesday. Dry thunderstorms may become wet as the event progresses.
* IMPACTS…Lightning will likely spark new fires across the region, including remote areas. Wildfires in remote regions may not become apparent until warmer and drier conditions allow them to grow. Please report potential fires to local CALFIRE or
SHERIFF offices. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

7:00 AM: Carmel and River Fires Google Earth Image with VIIRS and MODIS Satellite and CDF Infrared Outline (from 08/19/20). Some of the latest satellite detections are 3:30 AM PT.  Click this link to view larger image: Carmel_River_Fire_082120

Toro View: Carmel_River_Fire_Toro_082120

Palo Escrito View: Carmel_River_Fire_Escrito_082120

Tassajara Road View: Carmel_River_Fire_Tassajara_082120

Sleepy Hollow View: Carmel_River_Fire_Sleepy_082120

Carmel Incident Update:

River Incident Update:

Office of Emergency Services response page here

Quick reference of key resources to stay up-to-date here

National interagency Fire Center Map can be found here

Current Wind can be found (please confirm time) here

Alert Wildfire Camera here

Scanner Fire & Sheriff

Air Traffic here

Road Closures here

CalFire’s Ready, Set, Go! Checklist here (see page 9)