Fire Update - 09/28/08 PM
Incident: Chalk Wildland Fire
Released: 9/28/2008
The Chalk Fire started at approximately 7:30 p.m Saturday, September 27 in the upper Mill Creek drainage area of Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. The fire is about 22 miles southwest of King City and about 2 miles east of Highway 1. It is primarily south of Nacimiento Fergusson Road which connects Fort Hunter Liggett to Highway 1.
The fire has burned approximately 800-900 acres in oak and brush in steep, rugged terrain. There is very little to no wind on the fire and it is primarily slope and fuel-driven.
Earlier this afternoon the fire reached and crossed to the north side of Nacimiento Fergusson Road; it is also on both the west and east sides of South Coast Ridge Road.
Residents of three parcels of private land within the national forest in the Prewitt Ridge, Alms Ridge and Mill Creek areas, were advised to evacuate earlier today. The fire is approximately 2 miles from the nearest home.
All National Forest campgrounds along the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Prewitt Ridge, have been evacuated.
An Evacuation Advisory has been issued for Highway 1 in the Limekiln, Mill Creek, Hermitage and Harlan Property areas. This advisory is a precautionary notice that people in these areas should be prepared to evacuate if an evacuation order is issued.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Road closures: Nacimiento Fergusson Road is closed at Highway 1 on the west side and at the national forest boundary on the east side. South Coast Ridge Road is closed at Nacimiento Fergusson Road and Highway 1 at Plaskett Creek.
Highway 1 is open.
More detailed information about the location and status of the fire and the resources assigned will be available after 7:30 a.m. Monday.
