Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
News

California wildfire forces closure of scenic Highway 1

By Reuters 2 min read
A helicopter makes a water drop during the Soberanes Fire near Carmel Valley

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – An epic wildfire that has killed one person and blackened about 60,000 acres along the California coast, forced authorities on Monday to shut down a portion of scenic Highway 1 near Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Advertisement

The closure of the highway, which runs along much of the Pacific coastline and is famed for its dramatic ocean views, was prompted by an increase in fire and wind activity in the Big Sur area, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

The road was expected to be closed to traffic in both directions from 10 p.m. Pacific time on Monday (0500 GMT Tuesday) until at least 6 p.m. on Tuesday (0100 GMT Wednesday), depending on conditions, the department said.

The so-called Soberanes Fire, which has destroyed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings, has been burning since July 22. A bulldozer operator died on July 26 when his tractor rolled over as he helped property owners battle the blaze, becoming the sixth wildfire fatality in California this year.

Authorities have traced origins of the blaze to an illegal campfire left unattended in a state park about a mile from Highway 1. No arrests have so far been made.

As of Monday, the more than 5,000 firefighters battling the flames had cut containment lines around 45 percent of its perimeter.

Firefighters are making gradual but steady progress against the blaze as wildfire season in the western United States reaches its traditional peak, intensified by prolonged drought and extreme summer heat across the region.

The conflagration near Big Sur is one of 35 major wildfires that have charred half a million acres in 12 states, mostly in the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

A blaze that erupted on Sunday in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, had scorched some 4,500 acres of dry timber and brush within 24 hours and was only about 5 percent contained, officials said. That fire, called the Pilot Fire, had not destroyed any homes as of Monday afternoon but residents of about 25 homes along two major highways were ordered to evacuate.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; editing by Grant McCool)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC771Q6-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC771Q4-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Former Oklahoma reserve deputy sentenced to four years for manslaughter
News
Reuters 2 min read

Former Oklahoma reserve deputy sentenced to four years for manslaughter

Obama says DNC hacks would not alter relations with Russia
News
Reuters 2 min read

Obama says DNC hacks would not alter relations with Russia

Star Wars may propel U.S. toy industry to best year since ’99: NPD
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Star Wars may propel U.S. toy industry to best year since ’99: NPD

Wal-Mart plans early layaways to catch ‘Star Wars’ boost
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Wal-Mart plans early layaways to catch ‘Star Wars’ boost

In Court Filing, Group Seeking Independent in Fall Presidential Debates Blasts FEC Response as ‘Frivolous’
News
Jason Owen 4 min read

In Court Filing, Group Seeking Independent in Fall Presidential Debates Blasts FEC Response as ‘Frivolous’

U.S. anti-hunger group uses playful campaign to fool and educate
News
Reuters 2 min read

U.S. anti-hunger group uses playful campaign to fool and educate

State Department official: 8,000 Syrian refugees resettled in U.S
News
Reuters 1 min read

State Department official: 8,000 Syrian refugees resettled in U.S

Black man shot by Louisiana police mourned in Baton Rouge
News
Reuters 3 min read

Black man shot by Louisiana police mourned in Baton Rouge

Gene Wilder, star of ‘Willy Wonka,’ ‘Blazing Saddles,’ dead at 83
Entertainment
Reuters 3 min read

Gene Wilder, star of ‘Willy Wonka,’ ‘Blazing Saddles,’ dead at 83

Nearly 600 Rural Organizations Signify Opposition to White House Proposal for USDA Reorganization and Budget Request in Advance of Congressional Hearing
News
Jason Owen 3 min read

Nearly 600 Rural Organizations Signify Opposition to White House Proposal for USDA Reorganization and Budget Request in Advance of Congressional Hearing

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy