Lopez fire evacuations lifted, containment holds at 50%

Evacuation orders were lifted Monday in the Lopez Fire.

The fire broke out Saturday at Lake Lopez in San Luis Obispo County.

Firefighters had issued evacuations in the area at Camp French and Lopez Canyon, but they were lifted Monday morning.

An evacuation warning was still in effect.

Officials say the fire burned through 220 acres. It was 50 percent contained as of Monday.

“We are working in a unified command with the US Forest Service, about 70% of the fire is on the state responsibility area,” said CAL FIRE Public Information Officer Adan Orozco.

The wind had officials worried Sunday.

“Crews are out and they are putting in more lines where they can safely,” said the Public Information Officer for the Lopez Fire Forest Service Fire Department, Manuel Madrigal.

“The fire had very little growth overnight and is holding at 220 acres,” said Orozco.

“Luckily we have a lot of aircraft available, and they were able to dump retardant on it and hold it where it is now,” said Madrigal.

Helicopters and airplanes fetched water from Lake Lopez as firefighters fought the flames. The wind and terrain made it a difficult fight.

“We are at really rugged terrain right now so where we can construct lines we will,” said Madrigal.

Hundreds of people were assisting with the firefight Sunday.

“Currently we are sitting at 660 folks, that might increase according to what this fire does,” said Madrigal.

CAL FIRE and Forest Services have teamed up with Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles fire departments.