Fire at a glance (numbers)
- Incident Name: River, Monterey County
- State: CA
- Lead Agency: BEU
- Size (acres): 48,424
- Percent Contained: 43%
- Estimate of Containment: August 30, 2020
- Personnel: 1,183
- Structures Destroyed: 30
River, San Benito-Monterey Unit, Cal Fire. IMT 1 (Cal Fire Team 1). Five miles southeast of Salinas, CA. Brush, chapparal and short grass. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, wind-driven runs, and short-range spotting. Numerous residences and communication infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road, and trail closures in effect.
August 25, 2020 at 9:24 PM
Marine layer from last night allowed the relative humidity to return to 50-60% and allowed firefighters to make great progress by reinforcing containment lines and repopulating more zones.
Note: As Firefighters continue making progress on the incidents, evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted in the following zones:
Zone 1A Zone 2A Zone 7 Zone 13A*
*See Exemption partial area remains under evacuation orders.
Please see Monterey County website map for further damage assessment info
Damage inspection is approximately 90% complete:
Single Residences: 10 Damaged, 13 Destroyed
Other Minor Structures: 2 Damaged, 17 Destroyed
Note: Changes on percentages of inspections completed and numbers of damaged and destroyed structures may fluctuate due to continuous assessments by our Damage Assessment Team.
For information on how you can prepare for wildfire please visit Ready for Wildfire
Please register for evacuation alerts by visiting Alert Monterey County
For information regarding the Dolan fire, please visit inciweb.NWCG.gov/incident/7018 2020.doland@firenet.gov
EVACUATION ORDERS:
For information on evacuation zones please visit. www.co.monterey.CA.US/2020FIRES
Zone 13: West of River Rd extending west to Carmel Valley Rd. West of River Rd south from Gonzales River Rd to Puma Rd.
Zone 14: All areas east of Carmel Valley Rd extending south from Finch Creek to Arroyo Seco Rd. All areas west of River Rd/Fort Romie Rd/Arroyo Seco Rd extending south to Elm Ave/Arroyo Seco Rd.
Evacuation Warnings:
Zone 16:Northwest of Limekiln Rd/Creek. Southeast of the intersection Chualar River Rd, and River Rd.
Zone 24: All areas south of the intersection of East Carmel Valley Rd and Arroyo Seco Rd to the intersection of Arroyo Seco Rd and Elm Ave, to the intersection of Elm Ave and Central Ave. All areas west of the intersections of Elm Ave and Central Ave south to the intersection of Central Ave and Highway 101 to the intersection of Highway 101 and Jolon Rd to the intersection of Jolon Rd and San Lucas Rd. All areas north from the intersection of Jolon Rd and San Lucas Rd to Junipero Serra Peak. All areas east of Junipero Serra Peak to East Carmel Valley Rd.
EVACUATION CENTERS:
Monterey Conference Center
1 Portola Plaza Monterey, CA 93940
King City Branch Library
3404 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930
EVACUATION SHELTER:
The shelter will be open 24 hours, has the capacity to provide meals and sleeping accommodations for up to 20 people and can be expanded as needed. The SPCA is not currently on site at this location
Carmel Middle School: 4380 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel by The Sea, CA 93923
Salinas Valley Fairgrounds: 625 Division St., King City, CA 93930
Evacuees being effected, please visit Monterey Recovers For Red Cross information please call 211
Road closures:
Pine Canyon at Mesa
Cava Circle at Redding
Berry Drive at Enos Drive
Animal evacuation centers: Please call SPCA Monterey County at 831-264-5455
August 24, 2020 at 8:47 PM
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.
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 RdBerry Dr at Enos Dr
To view the River and Carmel Fires Evacuation Map please visit:Here
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 https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health or https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health/behavioral-healthfor 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: www.alertmontereycounty.org
RIVER FIRES UPDATE 8/24/20 7AM
Current Situation:
Fire activity was minimal overnight allowing firefighter to make great progress by reinforcing containment lines around the fire. The fire continues to burn interior pockets of vegetation and firefighter work to extinguish smoldering around structures.
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
Damage inspection is approximately 45% completeSingle Residences: 8 Damaged, 8 DestroyedOther Minor Structures: 1 Damaged, 13 Destroyed
Note: Changes on percentages of inspections completed and numbers of damaged and destroyed structures may fluctuate due to continuous assessments by our Damage Assessment Team.
For information on how you can prepare for wildfire please visit Ready for Wildfire Please register for evacuation alerts by visiting Alert Monterey County
For information regarding the Dolan fire, please visit inciweb.NWCG.gov/incident/7018 2020.doland@firenet.gov
EVACUATION ORDERS:
For information on evacuation zones please visit. www.co.monterey.CA.US/2020FIRES
Zone 1: Pine Canyon Rd, Parker Rd, Laurel Ln, and Trimble Hill Ln
Zone 2: South of River Rd from Tara Dr to Pine Canyon Rd to include all roads off of Las Palmas Pkwy, Ranchito Dr, Indian Springs Rd, Berry Dr, Enos Dr, Redding Dr, and Belmont Circle.
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 7: West of river Road from Limekiln Rd to Gonzales River Road.
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.
Zone 13: West of River Rd extending west to Carmel Valley Rd. West of River Rd south from Gonzales River Rd to Puma Rd.
Zone 14: All areas east of Carmel Valley Road extending south from Finch Creek to Arroyo Seco Road. All areas west of River Road/Fort Romie Road/Arroyo Seco Road extending south to Elm Ave/Arroyo Seco Road.
Evacuation Warnings:
Zone 3: Indian Canyon, Mt. Toro Access Rd and San Benancio Rd from Troy Ln. to Corral de Tierra, including Corral del Cielo Rd, Lucie Ln, and Covie Ln.
Zone 16: Northwest of Limekiln Rd/Creek. Southeast of the intersection Chualar River Rd, and River Rd.
Zone 9, 11: Areas North of Highway 68 from Portola Drive and Veronica Drive/Estoque Place east, to include all roads off of Portola Drive to Creekside Court.
Zone 24: 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.
EVACUATION CENTERS:
Monterey Conference Center
1 Portola Plaza Monterey, CA 93940
King City Branch Library
3404 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930
EVACUATION SHELTER:
The shelter will be open 24 hours, has the capacity to provide meals and sleeping accommodations for up to 20 people and can be expanded as needed. The SPCA is not currently on site at this locationCarmel Middle School: 4380 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel by The Sea, CA 93923Sherwood Hall: 490 N. Main St, Salinas, CA 93901Salinas Valley Fairgrounds: 625 Division St., King City, CA 93930
ASSISTANCE: Evacuees being effected, please visit Monterey Recovers For Red Cross information please call 211
Road closures:
Pine Canyon at Redding Dr
Indian Springs at Murietta Rd
Los Palamas Rd at Tara Dr
Riverview Ct at River Rd
Berry Dr at Enos Dr
San Benancio Rd at Harper Canyon Rd
Animal evacuation centers: Please call SPCA Monterey County at 831-264-5455
August 23, 2020 at 7:15 PM
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.
Red Flag Warnings in effect from 0500 this morning to 1700 Monday for Dry Lightning and erratic gusty winds up to 65mph. A significant weather change is expected with a low pressure system moving up the coast of California. This will bring a shift in winds from the northwest to the southeast.
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.
Damage inspection is approximately 45% completeSingle Residences: 7 Damaged, 8 DestroyedOther Minor Structures: 1 Damaged, 11 Destroyed
August 18, 2020 at 8:46 AM
Firefighters worked aggressively to increase containement lines overnight however, with the absence of a marine layer, the fire continued to burn actively. West winds pushed the fire downhill toward the valley in some locations. The fire burned actively in areas of grass and brush compared to areas with oak canopy.
Motorists should drive cautiously and always yield to emergency vehicles that are traveling on and off roads and highways. Fire danger remains elevated and everyone should continue to use extreme caution and refrain from daily activities that may spark a wildfire. For information on how you can prepare for wildfire please visit Ready for Wildfire
Please register for evacuation alerts by visiting Alert Monterey County
Evacuation Orders: Pine Canyon Rd, Parker Rd, Laurel Ln, and Trimble Hill Ln.
Evacuation Advisory:
South of River Rd from Tara Dr. to Pine Canyon Rd. to include all roads off of: Las Palmas Pkwy, Ranchito Dr, Indian Springs Rd, Berry Dr, Enos Dr, Redding Dr, and Belmont Circle.
Indian Canyon, Mt. Toro Access Rd and San Benancio Rd from Troy Ln to Corral de Tierra, including Corral del Cielo Rd, Lucie Ln, and Covie Ln.
Southwest of Parker Rd, Northwest of Corral del Cielo Rd and Rana Creek, southeast of the intersection of Chualar River Rd and River Rd, northwest of Limekiln Rd/Creek.
Harper Canyon Area, all areas north of San Benancio Rd, west of Troy Ln, southeast of Harper Canyon Rd, to include Harper Canyon Rd, Weather Rock Way, and Rimrock Canyon Rd.
Evacuation center:
Monterey County has opened an evacuation center at Toro Park School, 22500 Portola Drive, Salinas, Ca.
Residents who need emergency housing or have lost homes, may reach out to the American Red Cross 24 hour disaster dispatch helpline: 1-866-272-2237.
Road closures: River Rd between Pine Canyon Rd and Parker Rd in Salinas
Animal evacuation centers: Please call SPCA Monterey County at 831-264-5455
August 16, 2020 at 6:59 PM
The fire has moved across Pine Canyon, continuing to move to the south toward River Road. Firefighters continue to defend structures in the northern end of the fire near San Benancio/Corral de Cielo, as well as the River Road/Pine Canyon area.
Extreme fire behavior with uphill runs and running
Structures threatened
Evacuations warnings in place
Limited access and steep terrain
Significant augmentation of air and ground resources
Unified Command CAL FIRE and Monterey County Regional Fire
CAL FIRE IMT 1 Team (Traux) ordered
Federal air and ground resources assigned
Evacuations: Pine Canyon Rd, Parker Rd, Laurel Ln, & Trimble Hill Ln
Evacuation advisory: Indian Canyon, Mt. Toro Access Rd & San Benancio Rd from Troy Lane to Corral de Tierra, including Corral del Cielo Rd, Lucie Lane, and Covie Lane.
Evacuation center: Buena Vista Middle School, 18250 Tara Dr, Salinas
Road closures: Corral del Cielo Rd, Mt. Toro Access Rd, River Road
Animal evacuation centers: SPCA, Marina Equestrian Center