Highway 1 reopens through Big Sur fire burn area as containment grows
Cal Fire announced Thursday that containment of the Colorado Fire in Big Sur was at 65%, and full containment is now expected to happen by Feb. 2.
Because of the blaze that began Jan. 21, Caltrans had to close a stretch of Highway 1 in that area, but lifted the closure order on Wednesday, allowing through traffic along the entire scenic coast once again, but with traffic-control delays of up to 10 minutes in several areas along a 10-mile stretch of the roadway from Garrapata Creek to Point Sur south of Carmel.
Cal Fire reports that the wildfire has burned about 700 acres.
Caltrans also announced Wednesday that all other road closures in the area had been lifted.
The full highway reopening carries some expected caveats from Caltrans about drivers needing to use extreme caution in the area, allowing themselves extra time for the periodic traffic controls so emergency vehicles can continue to access the fire zone.
Intermittent delays of up to five minutes are expected at Palo Colorado Canyon (61.5 miles north of the San Luis Obispo/Monterey county line) through Monday, a media release reported, which will correspond to “when PG&E needs to carry equipment by helicopter across the highway” to fix utility infrastructure.
Other areas of possible delay of up to 10 minutes are at Little Sur River (55.8 miles north of the county line) for retaining wall construction, and at Garrapata Creek Bridge (63 miles north of the county line) for bridge rehabilitation. One-way traffic control with a 24/7 temporary signal system is in place at Granite Canyon Bridge (64.4 miles north of the county line), again for bridge rehabilitation work.
On Tuesday night, Cal Fire identified the cause of the Colorado Fire as hot embers from a “pile burning operation” blown by high winds onto nearby vegetation.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that fire officials said the burn operation appeared to have been on a residential property, and the question of whether the residents had a burn permit is under investigation.
The fire destroyed one structure and caused 200 and 500 people to flee.
The lifting of evacuation orders and road closures by Cal Fire and Caltrans in fire-impacted neighborhoods and areas was welcome news for residents, visitors, businesses and others all along that busy segment of Highway 1 and beyond.
Another section of the highway further south had been closed in December, due to a slide of mud and rocks that covered the road bed. It reopened Jan. 1.
