Indian Fire Claims four Houses

The Indians Fire in Los Padres National Forest took another bad turn Tuesday when it destroyed four residences, a motor home and 10 outbuildings nine miles east of King City, the U.S. Forest Service reported. One structure was described as a full-time residence and three were second homes, Forest Service spokesman Curtis Vincent said. There were no injuries, he said, and firefighters were able to save several other residences and buildings.

Nearby, fire crews conducted a planned burn to clear a swath of land as a fire break to keep the fire from creeping toward more populated areas such as Pine Canyon.

Vincent said 35,339 acres were burned as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, and the fire was 30 percent contained. The containment figure has fluctuated since the fire started from a campfire June 8.

“The good news is the rest of the fire is remaining well intact,” Vincent said. “The main part of the fire’s spread is in the southeast.”

Officials said earlier in the day that the controlled burn had an unexpected flare-up that caused 50 acres to burn outside the prescribed area, but said it was contained before day’s end.

“Firefighters on the ground … attempted to stop the advancing fire front, but they were not able to stop wind-driven flames from reaching some of the structures,” Vincent said.

He said 1,064 residences, 265 outbuildings and five commercial properties are threatened.

West Coast 911 fire rescue news source - Monterey County Herald