Big Sur’s Colorado Fire reaches 25% containment after overnight winds fan flames

The Colorado Fire in Big Sur was 25% contained as of 8:18 a.m. Sunday.

The blaze, south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, has burned 1,050 acres, according to the Cal Fire website.

It started at 7:17 p.m. Friday on Palo Colorado Canyon Road in Big Sur.

Bay Area News Group photographer Karl Mondon snapped a dramatic photo of the blaze Saturday morning, showing flames spreading behind the famous Bixby Bridge as dawn broke.

As of Sunday morning, the flames had not reached the bridge.

Winds played a role overnight Saturday in fire activity.

An aerial shot of the Colorado Fire in Big Sur.
An aerial shot of the Colorado Fire in Big Sur.

“The fire behavior was moderate and made wind-driven runs late Saturday night and into Sunday morning, with some isolated tree torching,” a Cal Fire incident update noted. “Crews will continue building and improving containment lines and mopping up hotspots Sunday.”

Highway 1 remains closed from Garrapata Creek to Point Sur, the incident report said.

Evacuations in the area remain in place. The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at Carmel Middle School.

Carmel hotels are offering discounts to fire evacuees.

A plane flies over the Colorado Fire in Big Sur.
A plane flies over the Colorado Fire in Big Sur.

One structure has been destroyed and 225 more threatened.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, said Cecile Juliette, Cal Fire spokesperson.