Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Fires Threaten Big Sur

California smokeaters stretched thin with 700 blazes

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 27, 2008 5:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – Firefighters rushed to guard historic buildings in the scenic coastal town of Big Sur yesterday as a lightning-sparked wildfire blazed through a national forest in California, AP reports. The fire, only 3% contained, has burned 42 square miles of redwoods and destroyed 16 homes since Saturday. With 700 fires blazing statewide and more lightning forecast, firefighting resources are stretched dangerously thin.

The Monterrey County Sheriffs Dept. stops a motorist at a smoky checkpoint in Big Sur, Calif., Thursday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Fire crews continue to fight a fire which has scorched over 30 square miles in the Los Padres National Forest along California's central coast. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Leonides Guillen covers her nose with a scarf as she walks along the smoke-filled Highway 1 on her way to work in Big Sur, Calif., Thursday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

(NEWSER) - California residents have been ordered to evacuate the coastal resort Big Sur as wildfires rage in the hills above the town, USA Today reports. Ash rained on people as they packed cars before fleeing to safety. The Big Sur blaze is one of more than 1,100 wildfires in the state, mostly ignited by lightning, that have charred 680 square miles and destroyed 60 homes. More»

California Blaze a 'Gorilla'

Firefighters face long, exhausting season

(NEWSER) - A wildfire in California's Santa Barbara County grew by another 700 acres in addition to 10,000 acres already charred as teams of exhausted firefighters continued to battle the fast-moving blaze. The Gap fire is a priority among the 1,781 blazes which have raged in the state over the last two weeks, reports the Los Angeles Times. More»

Calif. Firefighters Battle 2 Huge Blazes

Predicted heat wave will magnify 1,700 fires in Calif.

(NEWSER) - Thousands of California firefighters battled a huge blaze today that threatened homes in Santa Barbara County, but lost ground to another fire near Big Sur, the Los Angeles Times reports. And weather likely will not help: Winds, lightning strikes, and fierce heat are expected to hit the state this week. "That just gives us a day of lull," a forest service official said. "The calm before the storm." More»

Firefighters Face 'Critical' Day

They hope to contain Goleta blaze; Big Sur still surly

(NEWSER) - Today will be “critical” for battling the Goleta fire, one of more than 330 still raging across California, a fire commander told the Los Angeles Times. The blaze has already scorched 8,300 acres, sparked more than 2,500 evacuations, and razed four buildings—but it is now 24% contained. "We want to be vigilant, we want to stay persistent," the commander said. "Our hope is to close this off." More»

Wind Keeps Wildfires Spreading Throughout Calif.

Blaze inches closer to Big Sur; burn near Santa Barbara doubles overnight

(AP) - A pair of out-of-control wildfires roared along California's central coast today, chewing through opposite ends of a parched forest and threatening a total of more than 4,500 homes. While flames from the stubborn fire inched closer to Big Sur's historic vacation retreats, state emergency officials said hot winds had caused a newer blaze 200 miles south in Santa Barbara County to double in size overnight. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Fires Threaten Big Sur

California smokeaters stretched thin with 700 blazes

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

wildfires • California wildfires • Los Padres National Forest • Big Sur • redwoods

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

California Blaze a 'Gorilla'

Firefighters face long, exhausting season

Calif. Firefighters Battle 2 Huge Blazes

Predicted heat wave will magnify 1,700 fires in Calif.

Firefighters Face 'Critical' Day

They hope to contain Goleta blaze; Big Sur still surly

Wind Keeps Wildfires Spreading Throughout Calif.

Blaze inches closer to Big Sur; burn near Santa Barbara doubles overnight

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Fires Threaten Big Sur

California smokeaters stretched thin with 700 blazes

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

wildfires • California wildfires • Los Padres National Forest • Big Sur • redwoods

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

California Blaze a 'Gorilla'

Firefighters face long, exhausting season

Calif. Firefighters Battle 2 Huge Blazes

Predicted heat wave will magnify 1,700 fires in Calif.

Firefighters Face 'Critical' Day

They hope to contain Goleta blaze; Big Sur still surly

Wind Keeps Wildfires Spreading Throughout Calif.

Blaze inches closer to Big Sur; burn near Santa Barbara doubles overnight

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?