Willow Fire Closure Order, 6/23/21

FOREST ORDER NUMBER 05-07-51-21-08
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
MONTEREY RANGER DISTRICT
WILLOW FIRE AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL CLOSURE 
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and protect    natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest.  This Order is effective from June 24, 2021, and until July 23, 2021. 

  1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Willow Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
  2. Being on any National Forest System road within the Willow Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B.  36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
  3. Being on any National Forest System trail within the Willow Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B.  36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
  4. Entering or using any National Forest Campground within the Willow Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B.  36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

  1. Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
  2. Owners or lessees of private land within the Emergency Closure Area, to the extent necessary to gain access to their land.
  3. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571 and 3581.

Executed at Solvang, California this 23rd day of June 2021.

KEVIN B. ELLIOTT
Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest

FOREST ORDER NUMBER 05-07-51-21-08

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

MONTEREY RANGER DISTRICT

WILLOW FIRE AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL CLOSURE

EXHIBIT A

The Willow Fire Area, Road, Trail, and Campground Closure begins at the intersection of the Los Padres National Forest boundary with Tassajara Road (Forest Road 18S02) in the SE ¼ of T18S R4E S19,  then continues generally south along and including Tassajara Road to its intersection with the Pine Ridge Trail (Forest Trail 3E06) in the NE ¼ of T19S R4E S7,   then continues generally west-southwest along and including the Pine Ridge Trail to its intersection with the Big Sur Trail in the NW ¼ of T19S R3E S29,  then continues generally south along and including the Big Sur Trail to its intersection with the South Fork Trail (Forest Trail 3E09) in the NE ¼ of T20S R3E S5,   then continues generally southeast along and including the South Fork Trail to its intersection with the Marble Peak Trail (Forest Trail 4E07) in the SE ¼ T20S R3E of S11, then continues generally southwest along and including the Marble Peak Trail to its intersection with the Lost Valley Trail (Forest Trail 4E08) in the NE ¼ of T20S R3E S22,  then continues generally southeast along and including the Lost Valley Trail to its intersection with Escondido Campground Road (Forest Road 19S09D) in the NE ¼ of T21S R4E S2, then continues generally west along and including Escondido Campground Road to its intersection with Arroyo Seco – Indians Road (Forest Road 19S09.3) in the NW ¼ of T21S R4E S1,  then continues generally southeast along and including Arroyo Seco – Indians Road to its intersection with Milpitas Road (Forest Road 19S09.4) in the SE ¼ of T21S R5E S7,  and then continues along, but does not include, Milpitas Road to its intersection with the Los Padres National Forest Boundary in T21S R5E,  then continues generally east along the Los Padres National Forestboundary the SE corner of T21S R6E S17,  then continues generally east, north, and west along the Ventana Wilderness boundary to the eastern boundary of T20S R5E S6,  and then continues generally northwest along the Los Padres National Forest boundary back to the starting point at its intersection with Tassajara Road (Forest Road 18S02) in the SE ¼ of T18S R4E S19.

Willow Fire, 6/23/21, day 7

Willow Fire:  June 23, 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: 100         Residences Damaged: 0Mixed Commercial/Residential threatened: 25Size: 2,877 acresPercent containment: 13%Cause: Under InvestigationResidences Destroyed: 0Personnel on the Incident: 526

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

Yesterday, firefighters took advantage of the continued favorable weather conditions and moderate fire behavior to prepare contingency lines along old fire control lines and adjacent roads east of the fire area. Crews also completed most of the community, residential and recreation infrastructure protection in the Tassajara and Arroyo Seco areas to the north and east of the fire area.

Forecasted weather and predicted fire behavior allowed firefighters to begin constructing direct control lines where it is safe to do so. Direct control lines are constructed along the fires edge leaving no unburned fuel between the fire and the control line. This is sometimes referred to as “one foot in the black.”

Today, crews are tasked with extending direct control lines along the fire’s edge and increasing offensive actions consistent with the moderating weather and minimal fire activity utilizing Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST). MIST employs the minimum amount of forces necessary to achieve the protection objectives consistent with the land and resource management objectives and resources at risk.

WEATHER

A low-pressure system off the coast will continue to provide favorable weather conditions over the fire area for another day or so, shifting winds to the northwest as the system moves onshore. Resulting cooler temperatures and an increase in relative humidity has significantly reduced the detectable heat within the fire area. The fire is not expected to significantly increase in size during this time. A developing high-pressure system off the Pacific Northwest coast will bring warmer and dryer conditions at the end of the week and into the weekend.

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 no changes to the Evacuation Warning and Order areas.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for the following areas:

  • Tassajara Road northwest to China Camp Campground in the Los Padres National Forest, including tributary Forest Routes and the Tassajara Zen Center.
  • Upgraded the Evacuation Warning to an Order for Zone WF-3a. All areas of the Arroyo Seco Road west of Woodtick Canyon, to include the Arroyo Seco Campground, Rocky Creek Road, Camp Cawatre.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for the following area:

  • Tassajara Road from China Camp Campground in the Los Padres National Forest northwest to Kincannon Canyon. The Warning stops at the Los Padres National Forest boundary. This does not include Kincannon Road or tributaries of Jamesburg or Cachagua Road.

From John Chesnut, Mapped perimeter from the 9 PM PDT overflight (6/22-23 overnight). Perimeter is unchanged for 24 hours. Overnight (6/22-6/23) IR interpreter report is very optimistic

Willow Fire, 6/22/21, Day 6

11:26 am — Just received:

Willow Fire:  June 22, 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: 100         Residences Damaged: 0Mixed Commercial/Residential threatened: 25Size: 2,848Percent containment: 0%Cause: Under InvestigationResidences Destroyed: 0Personnel on the Incident: 511

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

Moderating fire conditions across the fire area were experienced by firefighters yesterday under the influence of the marine layer’s higher relative humidity. Community, residential and recreation infrastructure protection and scouting of contingency lines were the highest priority work objectives for firefighters.

Today, firefighters will take advantage of the continued moderated fire behavior to construct direct control lines along the fire’s edge where it is safe to do so. Contingency lines will continue to be improved in front of the eastern edge of the fire to protect the Arroyo Seco area.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains in Unified Command with Los Padres National Forest and California Interagency Incident Management Team 11. The sheriff’s office has issued Evacuation Warnings and Orders for the fire area. 

WEATHER

A low-pressure system off the coast will continue to provide favorable weather conditions over the fire area with south-westerly to south-east winds for the next day or so shifting to the northwest as the system moves onshore. Firefighters are going to take advantage of the resulting cooler temperatures and an increase in relative humidity. A general cooling trend is expected through Wednesday which could help slow the rate of spread as ground fuels will not be quite as hot and dry. Winds from the south and southwest will continue to influence the fire’s spread to the east and northwest toward Arroyo Seco.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES:

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for the following areas:

  • Tassajara Road northwest to China Camp Campground in the Los Padres National Forest, including tributary Forest Routes and the Tassajara Zen Center.
  • Upgraded the Evacuation Warning to an Order for Zone WF-3a. All areas of the Arroyo Seco Road west of Woodtick Canyon, to include the Arroyo Seco Campground, Rocky Creek Road, Camp Cawatre.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for the following area:

  • Tassajara Road from China Camp Campground in the Los Padres National Forest northwest to Kincannon Canyon. The Warning stops at the Los Padres National Forest boundary. This does not include Kincannon Road or tributaries of Jamesburg or Cachagua Road.

11 am — I have been having unexplainable internet connectivity issues. I am hoping my current location will help them. Here is John Chesnut from this am: “Perimeter mapping from the IR overnight flight.  Very minor expansion on the eastern corner above the south bank of  Willow Creek.  Larger vegetation shown in this area.”

8 am — I have yet to receive any intel yet this am. I will post as soon as anything is forthcoming.

Willow Fire, 6/21/21, Day 5

8 pm — from the Willow Fire, IMT PIO: “The latest acreage is 2,848 with 0% containment.”

This is today’s 12:26 pm update from the USFS. A phone conversation just now with the PIO for the IMT (Thanh Nguyen) on this fire confirms the size of the fire is closer to 3000 acres, than the old figure in this update. The other important change is to note that USFS is no in unified command with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office,

Willow Fire:  June 21, 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, Montery Office of Emergency Services (OES)

Start Date: 06/17/2021Location: Los Padres National Forest,Monterey County, CAResidences Threatened: 100         Residences Damaged: 0Mixed Commercial/Residential threatened: 25Size: 2,392Percent containment: 0%Cause: Under InvestigationResidences Destroyed: 0Personnel on the Incident: 451

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

As of 7:00 a.m., the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has gone into Unified Command with Los Padres National Forest and California Interagency Incident Management Team 11. The sheriff’s office has issued Evacuation Warnings and Orders for the fire area.

Hot temperatures combined with windy conditions and low humidity made for opportune conditions for the fire to spread yesterday afternoon. The fire burned through the night with moderate intensity moving about a mile to the east. Moderate to active fire behavior is expected toward Arroyo Seco, as well as northerly and southerly spread due to slope runs. Firefighters on the ground are making a strong effort to stop further spread to the north and west flank of the fire line with the assistance of air support.

Crews are continuing to prepare for structure defense in the Tassajara Zen Center and the Arroyo Seco campground area. They have been scouting ridges where previous fire control lines were built to possibly utilize them again.

WEATHER

Firefighters are going to take advantage of cooler temperatures and an increase in relative humidity expected today. Low humidity and gusty afternoon ridgetop winds from the south/southeast, however, may occur. Heavy smoke may be more visible in the area. A general cooling trend is expected through Wednesday which could help slow the rate of spread as ground fuels will not be quite as hot and dry. Winds from the south and southwest will continue to influence the fire’s spread to the east and northwest toward Arroyo Seco.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES: 

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for the following areas:

  • Tassajara Road from China Camp Campground to the Tassajara Zen Center in Los Padres National Forest, including tributary Forest Routes.
  • Upgraded the Evacuation Warning to an Order for Zone WF-3a. All areas of the Arroyo Seco Road west of Woodtick Canyon, to include the Arroyo Seco Campground, Rocky Creek Road, Camp Cawatre.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for the following area:

  • Tassajara Road from China Camp Campground in the Los Padres National Forest northwest to Kincannon Canyon. The Warning stops at the Los Padres National Forest boundary. This does not include Kincannon Road or tributaries of Jamesburg or Cachagua Road.

John Chesnut’s IR map: (Current acreage on the IR flight is 2839)

6:30 am — From last night’s inciweb update: (they have added an expected containment date of July 11th.)

Incident Information

Basic Information

Current as of6/20/2021, 8:47:42 PM
Incident TypeWildfire
CauseUnknown
Date of OriginThursday June 17th, 2021 approx. 08:00 PM
LocationArroyo Seco Recreational Area, Tassajara Hot Springs, Ventana Wilderness
Incident CommanderIC Chris Fogle, California Interagency Incident Management Team 11
Incident DescriptionWildfire
Coordinates36.207 latitude, -121.56 longitude 

Current Situation

Total Personnel451
Size2,392 Acres
Estimated Containment DateSunday July 11th, 2021 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels InvolvedChaparral (6 feet), Brush (2 feet), Tall grass (2.5 feet)
Significant EventsModerate uphill runs, flanking, backingFire continues to spread through dry fuels on steep rugged terrain.

Outlook

Planned ActionsCrews will continue to prepare for structure defense and protection as needed and scouting rides where previous fires control lines were built for possible reopening and contingency lines.
Projected Incident ActivityFire is expected to burn through the night with moderate intensity short range uphill runs and spotting. Moderate to active fire behavior will continue like this above the coastal influence (marine layer). For the next 24 hours, winds from the south and southwest will continue to influence the fire’s spread to the east and northeast towards Arroyo Seco. Fire continued growth toward Arroyo Seco is expected, as well as northerly and southerly spread due to slope runs.

Current Weather

Weather ConcernsThermal belt exists in the Ventana Wilderness and causes fire activity to increase in the evening hours contributing to rapid fire growth above the marine layer. RH recovery is limited and winds are expected to continue. A general cooling trend is expected over the next few days as a trough of low pressure approaches the Bay Area thru midweek. Below seasonal temperatures and better R/H recovery is forecast thru Wednesday. Generally light, terrain driven winds are expected over the next few days in the lower elevations with gusty afternoon ridge top winds from the south/southeast. Increasing gusty winds late Tuesday afternoon. Increasing marine influence with areas of low clouds and fog in some of drainages in the lower elevations Tuesday and Wednesday. A warming ad drying trend is expected later in the week.

Fire Monks

It has been 13 years since Tassajara faced a fire like it has faced again with the Willow Fire. I thought it was time to remind people of their story. It happened in 2008 and they defended the Zen Center when everyone else had pulled out. This year, both the USFS and Cal Fire stayed with them. In 2008, they were abandoned. And this year, they weren’t five. They were ten. It is an unbelievable story told well. You can find it in this book available on Amazon:

Sunday photos & Monday coffee…

…will both be postponed a week while we all focus on this year’s first fire, Willow Fire. New posts re the fire will follow as soon as I obtain the intel.

Willow Fire, 6/20/21, Day 4, Happy Father’s Day!

Not looking good this afternoon. Two distinct heads. WillowFire Current Aircraft, 1 AA, 1 Lead, T-79, T-80, T-104, T-105, T-163, T-912, Chinook 949, Copter 109.

June 20 2:35 pm jet drop after jet drop. Wind consistent 15 -20 knots. Reference the photo below.

12:15 pm —

Willow Fire:  June 20, 2021 Update 

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 and CIIMT 11

Additional Cooperating and Assisting Organizations: National Weather Service, Monterey Sherriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, CALFire, Big Sur Fire Department Cachagua Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management

Start Date: 06/17/2021Location: Los Padres National Forest,Monterey County, CA            Size: 2,080Percent containment: 0%Cause: Under Investigation 

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

Last night there was minimal fire growth due to the increased humidity. Hand crews were able to put handlines in front of the fire in the Arroyo Seco area. 

This morning California Interagency Incident Management Team 11 (CIIMT-11) took over management of the Willow Fire incident. Team 11 has been briefed in all areas of the incident and is prepared to work toward the goal of containment.

The fire is difficult for firefighters to access due to steep terrain and safety concerns. There are evacuations in place in areas where structures are threatened. These structures include historical sites, cabins, ranches, and private residences. Areas affected include Arroyo Seco Recreational Area, Tassajara Hot Springs and the Ventana Wilderness. Other concerns are endangered species and cultural sites. Los Padres National Forest Resource Advisors will be working with Chumash Tribal members, biologists and botanists to identify sensitive areas.

WEATHER

Although there was moisture recovery overnight fuels remain critically dry. These dry fuels create a receptive environment for fire spread. Temperatures are expected to cool over the next few days. Light terrain driven winds are expected. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES:

  • Evacuation warning for areas north of Arroyo Seco Campground to Anastasia Canyon; west of Carmel Valley Road and east of Tassajara road.
  • Tassajara Hot Springs
  • Arroyo Seco Recreation Area is closed.

7:30 am — from John Chesnut:

Attached is an image that mashes up
1) Overnight IR airplane flight perimeter and heat detections2) Most recent VIIRS satellite heat detection footprints3) Dolan fire final Perimeter (red line to south)4) Sobranes (2016) fire final perimeter (green tint)
Note “North” is turned on the image to look up the axis of the Canyon.  Second image is identical data, just zoomed in (which looses the ocean reference, but shows more detail.

6 am — First to all the first responder dads out there, Happy Father’s Day! Please be safe out there.

Last night’s update was not posted until after 11 pm and I was in bed, so here it is:

Incident Information

Basic Information

Current as of6/19/2021, 11:05:14 PM
Incident TypeWildfire
CauseUnknown
Date of OriginThursday June 17th, 2021 approx. 08:00 PM
LocationWillow Creek in the Ventana Wilderness NW of Arroyo Seco Recreation area close to the Tassajara Zen Center.
Incident CommanderIC Tony Zavalla – USFS
Incident DescriptionWildfire
Coordinates36.207 latitude, -121.56 longitude 

Current Situation

Total Personnel452
Size2,066 Acres
Fuels InvolvedSteep, rugged and brushy terrain. Chaparral 6 feet, tall grass 2.5 feet and brush 2 feet.
Significant EventsActive, backing, uphill runs and flanking

Outlook

Planned ActionsMoving to indirect strategy, establish a base camp in King City, transition from Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) to a Type II IMT at 0600 on 6/20/21. Reinforce Dolan Fire of 2020 hand and dozer line for potential back firing operations.
Projected Incident ActivityFire is holding within the perimeter. Multiple Divisions are reinforcing existing line construction and dozer lines from the Dolan Fire of 2020. Retardant lines held well during the day minimizing growth and is expected to continue through the evening.

Current Weather

Weather ConcernsContinuing hot and dry weather conditions with increase in winds. Thermal belt exists in the Ventana Wilderness and causes fire activity to increase in the evening hours contributing to rapid fire growth. Relative humidity is limited and winds are expected to continue.

Willow Fire, 6/19/21, day 3

This bad boy just dropped on Willow. Looks like he is heading back to Paso, hopefully to refuel

From Park Management Company:

FIRM map from this am (this is becoming the old google earth fire maps). Thanks Kathy Wylie

There is a source for mapping that Mike Caplin reminded me of last night (to him, this morning to me) here:

https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/#/%3F/%3F/36.2346/-121.5593/12

From this link, he was able to map the fire at 4,000 acres last night at 11 pm. Of course, this is an unofficial size. We will have to wait for the USFS to make their official determination. Here is his map:

And here is a map of all the recent historical fires in the area that Paul Saffo did for us last night.

Here is one Paul did this am. Red is the most recent, orange is older.

At 5:30 am, a helicopter on its way to the fire flew over me. Inciweb is reporting what wildCAD reported last night, the fire is 2000 acres. IMC is setting up in King City, and there is some welcome cooling fog on the coast today. As is usual, I will be adding to this post throughout the day as information becomes available. I would also offer that I have an extensive list of fire-related links to the right that I have developed over the years.

Willow Fire Photos, 6/18/21

Starting a new page just for some of the fire photos I am getting in. Here are a few to start from opposite sides of the Santa Lucia Mountains:

Willow Wildfire, 6/18/21

Evacuation Order

WillowFire Zone WF-3a

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded the Evacuation Warning to an Order for Zone WF-3a. All areas of Arroyo Secco Rd west of Woodtick Canyon, to include the Arroyo Seco Campground, Rocky Creek Rd, Camp Cawatre.

The Evacuation Warning for Zone WF-3b remains a warning. Areas east of Woodtick Canyon on Arroyo Seco Rd to Millers Ranch at the Carmel Valley Rd junction remain an Evacuation Warning.

For more information view the evacuation map: https://bit.ly/3gFEpvw

Evacuation Order: Leave the area immediately
Evacuation Warning: Be prepared to leave. If you require additional assistance or time to evacuate, leave now.

As of 5 pm, WildCAD is reporting 2000 acres and Inciweb is reporting 750. I suspect WildCAD is closer to being accurate.

2 pm — Per Finn, our Interim Monterey District Ranger, the fire is about 700-1000 acres. He thinks they will be setting up the Incident Command Center in King City, probably at the Fairgrounds. Andrew Marsden, the PIO for the LPNF is trying to get inciweb up.

Great little wind map here:

https://zoom.earth/#view=36.187381,-121.549415,14.81z/layers=wind,fires

A couple photos taken around noon from Big Sur Valley and it is Wizard RIDGE not Gulch. Sorry for the error.

And here is the link to the County Willow Fire info page, which includes the map and notices thus far.
https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/office-of-emergency-services/response/2021-wildfire

12:30 pm — evacuation zones map. Here is the link: https://montereyco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=905a9458324b4868804d96b5593eb978

An evacuation order has been issued for Tassajara Rd. to China Camp Campground, by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. This includes Forest Routes and the Tassajara Zen Center.

Around 9 am, it is starting to crank and it is heating up out here. 180 acres per WildCAD

View of fire from Chew’s Ridge/Black Butte. Photos by Laurel Nason.

5 am — AA was scheduled to return at 4:30 am. AA51 back over the fire & has it mapped as 115 acres now, the fire has burnt up to the top of the first hill & has reached the drainage to the west.Arroyo Seco campground is closed (hard closure) for the weekend due to this fire. It is here:

06/17/2021 20:10LPF-1493
P5EK1Y		WillowWildfireWillow Creek.BC11LPF BC34LPF CRW1LPF CRW4LPF DOZ4LPF E17LPF E18LPF E315LPF4X4 E319LPF E331LPF4X4 PAT37LPF Q WT24LPF WT5LPFAFEO E319 Silva Effective 2020 6/17/2021.2036 12.414, -121 33.57620S R4E Sec 8