Pond Fire near Creston burns 2,005 acres, 60% contained
CRESTON, Calif. - Firefighters responded to a wildfire south of Creston, east of Santa Margarita that prompted evacuations and road closures through the weekend.
The fire was first reported around 4:33 p.m. Saturday evening on the 3400 block of Katacreek Road near Oak Creek Place.
CAL FIRE reported the fire was over 50 acres in size at 5:21 p.m. Saturday
By 6:15 p.m., the fire had grown to 400 acres and by 7:36 p.m., CAL FIRE said it had jumped to 1,200 acres in size.
Sunday morning, CAL FIRE stated the fire reached 1,550 acres and was 10% contained.
By Sunday night, CAL FIRE said the fire reach 1,700 acres and was 55% contained.
As of Monday morning, CAL FIRE said the fire has burned to 2,005 acres and is now 60% contained.
Highway 58 is closed and evacuations are ordered in the area.
Two structures have been destroyed by the fire so far, another 450 structures are threatened.
CAL FIRE asks that everyone please pay attention to evacuation zones and avoid the area of the fire at this time.
No injuries have been reported.
Sunday morning, firefighters said they have been working on establishing control lines for the fire in the steep, rugged terrain.
Major concerns include dry brush and drought stressed trees in the area, especially considering the fire history in the area.
CAL FIRE reported that 40 engines, 12 water tenders, two helicopters, 14 hand crews, 12 dozers, one air attack, four air tankers and 344 total personnel are battling the Pond Fire.
Assisting agencies include SLO City Fire, SLO County Sheriff, USFS, Ventura County Fire, Kern County Fire, Five Cities Fire, Morro Bay Fire, PG&E, SLO HEET, Red Cross, CDCR and CCC.
Evacuations
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office said they are assisting with evacuations.
Evacuations Orders have been issued for residents south of Highway 58 and west of Huer Huero Road, north of Las Pilitas Road and east of Pozo Road.
A reverse 911 call was sent out to residents asking them to leave their residence immediately.
Evacuation Warnings are in place for the area south of Las Pilitas Road, the area west of Parkhill Road to East Pozo Road and the area north and east of West Pozo Road to Hwy 58.
An Evacuation Center has been set up at Santa Margarita Elementary School, 22070 H St. in Santa Margarita.
HEET of SLO County is assisting residents with large animal evacuations. Their staging and sheltering area is located at the Railhead Ranch Arena.
HEET can be contacted at 805-550-0213.
Information about Pond Fire evacuations and updates can be found at www.emergencyslo.org/en/evacuations.
Road Closures
According to CHP, Huer Huero Road is closed at Highway 58 and Parkhill Road for the fire.
Parkhill Road was also closed at Las Pilitas Road and at Pozo Road.
The fire is reportedly spreading southwest.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
