The Colorado fire was triggered in Palo Colorado Canyon in the Big Sur region, according to the county emergency office.
Evacuation orders are mandatory for “all areas west of 3800 Palo Colorado Rd. To Highway 1 and south to Bixby Creek,” Monterey County officials said. It is unclear how many residents are affected by the injunction.
“The strongest offshore (northeast) winds have peaked and are expected to decline after midnight through sunrise. Humidity should trend higher from 4-6 in the morning. Must be on guard for some light southerly winds early Saturday morning,” NWS said in a tweet.
The Red Cross is helping provide shelter at Carmel Middle School for those affected by the forest fire, county officials said in a tweet. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also tweeted that it will provide emergency assistance to pets at this shelter.
California has experienced severe drought last year, making it a devastating wildfire season.
But the recent heavy rains across the state have eradicated the highest level of drought and have greatly reduced level 3 out of 4 “extreme droughts” from 80% of the state in mid-December to just 1% last week.