Backfires help to bolster fire lines

The Basin Complex Fire grew by 3,400 acres Saturday, but most of the action was firefighters setting controlled burns. There were no major developments in the fire that has charred 133,709 acres from Big Sur to Arroyo Seco in the past month, a fire spokesman said.

Backfires were being used to improve fire lines, and the work was going well, he said.

The fire has burned 27 homes and 34 outbuildings. Costs of fighting the blaze reached $59 million Saturday. There are still about 1,950 firefighters on the blaze, said the U.S. Forest Service.

Containment of the fire is projected for July 30. It was 70 percent contained Saturday. The fire was touched off by lightning June 21.

west coast 911 news source - Monterey County Herald