YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: Lack of a marine layer increased fire behavior at lower elevations along HWY 1. This resulted in an increase in rock fallout along the highway. CalTrans is working to keep the highway clear.

Due to above average temperatures an increase in fire activity was seen in the southern and eastern sections of the fire. Crews continued to focus on improving the containment lines providing structure defense for the Limekiln Creek area. Air operations provided support for ground crews helping to slow fire progression.

Overnight firefighters patrolled HWY 1 scouting for potential hotspots and rolllouts. Overnight lows were in the upper 80s to lower 90s with poor relative humidity recovery. Fire activity was minimal throughout the night.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Fighting the fire will not be the only hazard crews face today. Record breaking temperatures are predicted. Crews will challenged with a high ignition probability and heat exhaustion potential.

Firefighters will scout containment line options in the Arroyo Seco drainage and Avia Ranch area. Crews will strengthen containment lines along McWay Ridge and within the Lucia and Hermitage areas, and complete the primary lines north of the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road and along the road to Cone Peak.

If conditions allow, a planned burnout operation will be used in the next few days to tie containment line into the fire’s edge. Dozers, hand crews and masticators will work on additional contingency lines farther south. Helicopters will be available to support ground crews.

Structure protection along Highway 1 in the Partington area north and in the Lucia and Hermitage areas to the south will continue throughout the day.

EVACUATIONS: The Monterey County Sheriffs office has an Evacuation Order in effect for Zone B (Lucia) and Zone J (Prewitt Ridge). Warning are in effect for Zone C (Partington) and Zones K-S (Coast Ridge Road). Yesterday Zone A was downgraded to a warning. View the interactive map for Monterey County evacuations.

ROAD CLOSURE:  Highway 1 is closed from north of Vista Point south to Pacific Valley. Visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

FOREST CLOSURE:  Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-20 remains in effect on the Forest in the vicinity of the fire.

WEATHER: Record breaking temperatures are predicted for today. Temperatures in the 90’s along the coast and 120 degrees inland are predicted. Lower relative humidities across the area are expected and winds are forecast to remain mild.

SAFETY: Fire personnel and equipment are staged and working in the Big Sur area. As Labor Day Weekend continues anticipate increased traffic in areas accessible by the public.

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DOLAN FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
MONTEREY RANGER DISTRICT

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 C.F.R. 261.50(a) and (b) and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited in the Monterey Ranger District within the Los Padres National Forest. This Order is effective from September 3, 2020, until the Dolan Fire is declared out.

1.  Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Dolan 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 Dolan 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 Dolan Fire Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. 261.55(a).

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

1.  Any Federal, State or Local Law Enforcement 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 Dolan Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to gain access to their land.
3.  Persons who reside within the Dolan Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to gain access to their residences.

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.

Done at Goleta, California this 2nd day of September, 2020.

KEVIN B. ELLIOTT
Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest

This Order supersedes Order 05-07-51-20-19, dated August 25, 2020. 

Video of today's community meeting is available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1379423328919386&ref=watch_permalink

Speakers included the Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, Incident Meteorologist and Fire Behavior Analyst.

Smoke

The marine layer will not impact the forecast area for the next few days, allowing hotter and drier conditions to prevail. Smoke production may increase along the NE, E, and S sides of the fire. Areas in close proximity to the Dolan fire may see the worse impacts. With the weather change the SQF Complex grew yesterday, and is expected to be active today. Prevailing SSE winds may channel SQF complex smoke into the eastern portion of the forecast area. Although most of the smoke is aloft, some smoke may surface and bring USG conditions to the area.

Health

Many people may be travelling this Holiday Weekend. To xminimize smoke impacts while driving, keep vehicle windows
rolled up, and set the Air Conditioner or fan to the Recirculate setting.

Please see the attached pdf file for information about specific communities.

The fire is moving to the south and east within the Ventana Wilderness, growing by several hundred acres yesterday. Moderate fire activity continued in the Cone Peak area. Fire has progressed into the San Antonio Creek drainage and is flanking eastward along the Santa Lucia Range. Fire behavior is expected to increase with the loss of the marine layer, bringing higher temperatures and drier conditions across the fire area.

Hotshot crews continue to build line in the Ventana Wilderness and scout potential containment lines to the south of Lost Valley Trail. Fire fighters are improving containment lines along McWay Ridge and within the Lucia and Hermitage areas. Crews are completing the primary containment line north of the Naimiento-Ferguson Road and along the road to Cone Peak. This indirect line will serve as the primary containment line, intended to keep the fire from spreading south toward nearby structures. If conditions allow, a planned burnout operation will be used in the next few days to tie containment line into the fire's edge. Dozers, hand crews and masticators are also working on additional contingency lines farther south. Crews continue to patrol Highway 1 for rolling debris and increased fire behavior. Helicopters will be available to support ground crews throughout the day.

Structure protection all along Highway 1, in the Partington area north, and in the Lucia and Hermitage areas to the south continues. Currently in the fire there area: 6 Type 1 Hotshot crews, 6 Type 2 hand crews, 55 engines, 7 dozers, 12 helicopters, 17 water tenders, 4 masticators and a variety of other equipment to support firefighting efforts.

EVACUATION/CLOSURE ALERTS:
Evacuations/Closures: Here is an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations:  https://montereyco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=905a9458324b4868804d96b5593eb978&fbclid=IwAR21RuPR-NZKlm-BHNRL_ZmvBFkFmnh42OWUy97ZZ0ZP1fcF4mnt0y6Cm5M

For information about state highway closures, go to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

Evacuation Order for the area South of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, west of South Coast Ridge to Prewitt Ridge including Alms Ridge.
Evacuation Warning for Partington Zone C (only residents allowed into the area.)
A new Evacuation Warning was issued by the Sheriff's Office yesterday afternoon for the South Coast Ridge Road Zone K.
Highway 1 is closed from north of Vista Point south to Pacific Valley.
Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-20 is in effect, limiting access to areas of the Forest near the fire, https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd796183.pdf

WEATHER:  A high pressure system is bringing very high temperatures and drier conditions over the fire. Temperatures in the 90's along the coast and well into the 100's inland and much lower relative humidities across the area are expected through Monday. Winds are forecast to remain mild.

PUBLIC MEETING:  Our next virtual community meeting will be on Saturday August 5th at 2:00 pm.  The meeting will be live-streamed on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page and can be viewed live or retroactively. If you have specific questions please send them to 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov.

SAFETY:  Fire personnel and equipment are staging and working in the Big Sur area. Highway 1 is still closed within the fire area to ensure public safety as well as to allow for safer fire fighting operations. As Labor Day Weekend begins, anticipate increased traffic in areas accessible by the public.

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Evacuation order in place for Dolan Zone A has been downgraded to an evacuation warning.

Effective immediately the evacuation order in place for Dolan Zone A has been downgraded to an evacuation warning. Access is permitted only for residents due to fire equipment and emergency personnel in the area. The evacuation warning area for Zone A is as follows:

In the North starting at Highway 1 at Mile Post 35

 

East to Anderson Peak, South along North Coast Ridge Trail to the intersection with Arroyo Seco Ridge Trail,

 

West through Big Creek State Reserve to the intersection of Highway 1 at Mile Post 26, and North along Highway 1 to Mile Post 35.

 

As a reminder an "Evacuation WARNING" (i.e. sometimes used interchangeably with the term "Advisory") means those in a specific area/zone should be prepared to evacuate at any time. You do not need to leave your home at this time but please be alert and prepared to leave if an evacuation order is called.

An "Evacuation ORDER" means those in a specific area/zone should leave immediately.

If you feel that your life is in danger, do not wait for an emergency notification.

Additionally: When an Evacuation Order is in place for a zone(s), this means the public, including residents, are not allowed to enter the zone(s). The closures will have Law Enforcement roadblocks on northern and southern closure of Highway 1 turning cars around that are not authorized to be in the closure. This also includes no "In and out" privileges for subjects who decided to stay at their properties despite the Evacuation Order. If you leave the closed area, you will not be allowed to re-enter.

Address/Location
Monterey County Office of Emergency Services
1322 Natividad Rd
Salinas, CA 93906

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 831-796-1908

Effective immediately an evacuation WARNING is in place for South Coast Ridge Road Zone K. Access is permitted only for residents due to fire equipment and emergency personnel in the area. The evacuation warning area for Zone K is as follows:
Area bounded by Hwy 1 at about Mile Marker 15, East to intersection of Prewitt Creek Ridge Road and South Coast Ridge Road, South along South Coast Ridge Road to intersection of Los Burros Road and South Coast Ridge Road, west along Los Burros Road to Hwy 1 near Mile Marker 11, to include Plasket Ridge Road, San Martin Top, and Alder Creek Road.
The Evacuation ORDER for Zone J remains in effect. 
As a reminder an "Evacuation WARNING" (i.e. sometimes used interchangeably with the term "Advisory") means those in a specific area/zone should be prepared to evacuate at any time. You do not need to leave your home at this time but please be alert and prepared to leave if an evacuation order is called.
An "Evacuation ORDER" means those in a specific area/zone should leave immediately.
If you feel that your life is in danger, do not wait for an emergency notification.
Additionally: When an Evacuation Order is in place for a zone(s), this means the public, including residents, are not allowed to enter the zone(s). The closures will have Law Enforcement roadblocks on northern and southern closure of Highway 1 turning cars around that are not authorized to be in the closure. This also includes no "In and out" privileges for subjects who decided to stay at their properties despite the Evacuation Order. If you leave the closed area, you will not be allowed to re-enter.

Click here for an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations. For information about state highway closures go to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/. 
 
 

PUBLIC MEETING: Our next virtual community meeting will be TODAY, Sat. 9-5 at 2:00 pm. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page and can be viewed live or retroactively. If you have specific questions please email them to 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov.

The marine layer and relative cooler temperatures that have kept fire activity moderate will be lowering and dissipating over the weekend. Although limited fire spread occurred the last several days, the increased heat and drier conditions throughout the fire area forecast for the weekend is expected to increase fire behavior.

The fire continues to move to the south and east within the Ventana Wilderness, increasing by several hundred acres overnight. Hotshot crews are now working in this area, building hand line along the fire’s edge. Crews are also scouting the Lost Valley area to determine the best location to tie into the southern line. Containment lines on the northern and southern perimeters are holding well and fire fighters continue to improve those lines along McWay Ridge and within the Lucia and Hermitage areas. Crews continue to work on the primary containment line north of the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road and along the road to Cone Peak. This indirect line will serve as the primary containment line, intended to keep the fire from spreading south toward nearby structures. If conditions allow, a planned burnout operation will be used to tie this line into the fire’s edge. Dozers, hand crews and masticators are also working on additional contingency lines farther south. Beter visibility will allow for additional helicopter support where needed. Crews continue to patrol Highway 1 for rolling debris and increased fire behavior.

Firefighters continue with structure protection all along Highway 1, in the Partington area north, and in the Lucia and Hermitage areas to the south. Currently in the fire there are: 6 Type 1 Hotshot crews, 3 Type 2 hand crews, 62 engines, 6 dozers, 12 helicopters, 18 water tenders, 4 masticators, and a variety of other equipment to support firefighting efforts.

EVACUATION / CLOSURE ALERTS:

Evacuations / Closures: Click here for an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations. For information about state highway closures go to htps://roads.dot.ca.gov/.

• Evacuation Order for the area South of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, west of South Coast Ridge to Prewit Ridge including Alms Ridge.

• Evacuation Warning for Partington Zone C (only residents allowed into the area).

• Highway 1 is closed from north of Vista Point south to Pacific Valley.

• Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-20 is in effect today, superseding Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-19.

WEATHER: The marine layer is lowering today to 1,000 feet as a high pressure system moves into the area. The east side and higher elevation areas continue to be warmer and drier. An excessive heat warning has been issued for Saturday through Monday and temperatures are expected to be in the 90’s along the coast and low hundreds inland. Winds are forecast to remain mild. Fire activity is expected to increase with this change in weather conditions.

PUBLIC MEETING: Our next virtual community meeting will be on Saturday at 2:00 pm. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page and can be viewed live or retroactively. If you have specific questions please send them to 2020.Dolan@firenet.gov.

SAFETY: Fire personnel and equipment are staged and working from the Big Sur area. Highway 1 is still closed within the fire area to ensure public safety as well as to allow for safer fire fighting operations. As Labor Day Weekend commences, anticipate increased traffic in proximity to the fire area.

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Incident Information:

Start / Report Date: Aug. 18, 2020 Cause: Unknown
Fuels Involved: Chaparral, Brush, Timber understory
Size: 31,409 acres            
Containment: 40%       
Personnel: 896       
Start Date: August 18, 2020       
Cause: Unknown

The Pacific Northwest 2 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Dolan Fire this morning following a successful transition with California Incident Management Team 2. Thank you to Incident Commander Mike Minton and his entire team for their expert management and work to date.

The marine inversion layer kept fire activity minimal overnight, active fire in the east and south ends especially around Cone Peak. Although limited fire spread has occurred over the last few days, the excessive heat watch forecast for this weekend is expected to increase fire behavior. Firefighters continue to bolster containment lines in the northern and southern perimeters, mopping up and increasing the line depth along McWay Ridge and within the Lucia and Hermitage areas. Crews continue to work on the primary containment line north of the Naciemento-Ferguson Road and along the road to Cone Peak. This indirect line will serve as the primary containment line to keep the fire from spreading to the south toward nearby structures. Dozers, hand crews and masticators are also working on additional contingency lines farther south. Overnight crews continued improving lines and patrolling Highway 1 for roll outs and increased fire behavior. Crews began building direct line in the eastern edge of the fire within the Ventana Wilderness yesterday.

Firefighters continue with structure protection all along Highway 1, in the Partington area north, and in the Lucia and Hermitage areas to the south. Currently on the fire there are: 5 Type 1 Hotshot crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 60 engines, 10 dozers, 10 helicopters, 8 water tenders, 2 masticators, and a variety of other equipment to support firefighting efforts.

 

EVACUATION / CLOSURE ALERTS:

Evacuations / Closures: Click here  for an interactive map of Monterey County evacuations. For information about state highway closures go to https://roads.dot.ca.gov/.

• Evacuation Order for the area South of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, west of South Coast Ridge to Prewitt Ridge including Alms Ridge.
• Evacuation Warning for Partington Zone C (only residents allowed into the area).
• Highway 1 is closed from north of Vista Point south to Pacific Valley.
• Forest Order Number 05-07-51-20-19 remains in effect.

WEATHER: On Thursday the marine layer should remain in place up to 1,500 feet through the early afternoon, with warmer and drier conditions to the east at the higher elevations of the fire. Wednesday, the marine layer was in place, winds remained calm and temperatures moderate over the fire area. Conditions are expected to remain the same through Friday. An excessive heat watch has been issued for this area from Saturday through Monday and temperatures are expected to be in the 90’s along the coast and low hundreds inland. Winds are forecast to remain mild. Fire activity is expected to increase with this change in weather conditions.

SAFETY: This will be a long duration event. Residents in the affected area are encouraged to continue to prepare for the possibility of fire in their area in advance. Go to https://www.ready.gov/wildfires to learn how to prepare.