Soberanes Fire closure order reduced
Los Padres National Forest officials reduced the Soberanes Fire closure order to the burn area, effectively reopening the southern portion of the Monterey Ranger District to the public.
The new Soberanes Fire Closure Area begins at the northwest corner of Section 1, Township 17 South, Range 1 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian and continues east following the National Forest boundary to its intersection with Camel Valley Road.
The closure then continues south and east along the Forest Boundary to its intersection with private property in Section 31, Township 20 South, Range 5 East, continuing south and east along the Ventana Wilderness Boundary paralleling the western edge of the Arroyo Seco/Indians Road to its intersection with Escondido Campground. The closure then continues west along the Lost Valley Trail to its intersection with the North Coast Trail via the Lost Valley Connector, then north along the North Coast Trail to its intersection with the North Coast Ridge Road.
It then continues north and west along the North Coast Ridge Road to its intersection with State Highway 1, then north along State Highway 1 to its intersection with Palo Colorado Road and east back to the starting point.
Forest officials say that law enforcement officers will strictly enforce the closure order, which carries a penalty of $5,000 and/or six months in jail. The order will expire on Dec. 4, 2017.
The closure orders for the Rey, Sherpa and Pine fires were also lifted on Thursday. West Camino Cielo between Refugio Road and State Highway 154 is open to the public. However, officials remind the public to exercise caution when entering areas impacted by the wildfires as rock and debris slides may occur.
