The Willow Fire burns more than 2,800 acres
Weather and fire behavior provide favorable conditions for firefighters
The Ventana Wilderness blaze now 13% contained as firefighters take advantage of favorable conditions.
BIG SUR >> The Willow Fire in the Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest is 13% contained with 2,877 acres burned so far after firefighters took advantage of continued favorable weather conditions and moderate fire activity.
Weather and fire behavior Tuesday allowed crews to prepare contingency lines along old fire control lines east of the fire. 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, according to an update from the California Interagency Incident Management Team 11.
Firefighters were also allowed to begin constructing direct control lines along the fire’s edge, leaving no fuel between the fire and the control line, sometimes referred to as “one foot in the black.”
Firefighters worked Wednesday on extending direct control lines along the fire’s edge. They also increased their attack on the fire utilizing Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics. Those tactics aim to employ the minimum amount of forces necessary to achieve the protection objectives consistent with the land and resource management objectives and resources at risk.
The wildfire is situated in steep rugged terrain south of the 2020 River and Carmel fire burn scars and north of the Dolan Fire scar from the same period. The Willow Fire is burning along the southeast edge of the 2016 Soberanes burn scar.
Indirect control strategy is following the historically used ridgetop fire lines. Past fire scar areas significantly reduce responder exposure while containing the fire and protecting values at risk, said the update from CIIMT 11.
The Willow Fire was first reported a week ago and its cause remains under investigation. There are 526 fire personnel combating the
blaze including hotshot crews, hand crews, and air support. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
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. The resulting cooler temperatures and an increase in relative humidity have significantly reduced the detectable heat within the fire area. The fire is not expected to significantly increase in size during this time. A developing highpressure system off the Pacific
Northwest coast will bring warmer and dryer conditions at the end of the week and into the weekend.
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.
Visit the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services web page at https://tinyurl. com/9jnn9xxa for more information.