Wildfire near California's Big Sur forces evacuations

UPDATE (9:25 p.m.) - CAL FIRE updated the number of acres burned from 1,050 to 700 due to better mapping. Fire officials announced on Twitter that the Colorado Fire is now 35% contained.

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UPDATE (4:25 p.m.) - The Red Cross will be closing its shelter at Carmel Middle School on Monday at 7 a.m.

The shelter was opened for those who evacuated the Colorado Fire.

The decision was made in conjunction with the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.

Red Cross volunteers will remain on standby.

Those who are still in need of assistance can access shelter info by calling 2-1-1.
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UPDATE (10:35 a.m.) - CAL Fire reports that the Colorado Fire is now 25% contained and 1,050 acres in size.

According to fire officials, the fire's behavior was moderate late Saturday night into Sunday morning, with some isolated tree torching.

On Sunday, crews will build and improve containment lines and mop up hotspots.

188 personnel are currently assigned to the Colorado Fire.

One structure has been destroyed by the fire and 225 structures are threatened.

The cause of the fire is listed as unknown at this time.
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UPDATE (7:15 p.m.) - CAL Fire reports that the Colorado Fire is now 20% contained. The agency said that thanks to better mapping, they recalculated the number of acres burned. Originally Cal Fire determined that the wildfire covered an area of 1,500 acres, but it has now been updated to 1,050 acres. According to fire officials, at least one structure has been damaged.

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UPDATE (2:45 p.m.) - According to Caltrans, Highway 1 is closed from Andrew Molera State Park to the Granite Canyon Bridge due to the Colorado Fire.

Caltrans officials are currently patrolling the area to inspect drainage facilities and rockfall on and near the highway.

More information on the highway closure can be found at this website.

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UPDATE (8:20 a.m.) - The Colorado Fire, which broke out Friday night near Big Sur, has burned 1,500 acres and is 5% contained as of Saturday morning, according to CAL FIRE.

The fire is burning in Palo Colorado Canyon, south of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Highway 1 is closed from Andrew Molera State Park in the south to Rio Road in the north, according to Caltrans.

An American Red Cross shelter has been set up at Carmel Middle School for residents who have been evacuated from the area.

The cause of the fire is listed as unknown at this time.
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(11:40 p.m.) - Evacuations are in place for a vegetation fire that broke out Friday night in Monterey County.

The Colorado Fire was reported shortly before 7:30 p.m. and was burning in the Palo Colorado Canyon area of Monterey County, according to NBC affiliate KSBW.

By 11:47 p.m., the California Highway Patrol log showed the fire was estimated to be around 1,500 acres.

People from the west of 3800 Palo Colorado Road to Highway 1 and south to Bixby Creek were being told to evacuate.

Highway 1 is closed at Rio Road in Carmel, according to Caltrans.

The National Weather Service says the flames are being pushed in a southwest direction toward Highway 1 by dry, northeast winds. The offshore winds were expected to ease overnight .

The American Red Cross was working to open a shelter at a middle school for evacuees.