Air quality not too good, Soberanes Fire apparently is a major contributor

 CBS Local, 8/19/16,"Smoke from Soberanes Fire blankets Bay Area."   

Smoke here from Central Coast Soberanes Fire

"SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The smell of smoke wafted over San Francisco Friday as haze from the massive Soberanes Fire near Big Sur blanketed the Bay Area, triggering a Share the Air alert.

The fire, which was ignited by an illegal campfire on the morning of July 22, has scorched more than 81,000 acres and was 60 percent contained early Friday. According to Cal Fire, an evacuation order remains in effect for Coast Ridge Rd. from mile marker 1.5 to Marble Peak at the end of the road. According to U.S. Forest Service spokesman Joe English, his agency was taking command of the efforts to fight the blaze as it has burned nearly 42,000 acres of the Los Padres National Forest. The National Guard has also assigned 350 of its personnel to help battle the fire including several hand crews.

Another 38,000 acres of California wildland in Carmel Valley, Cachagua and Big Sur have also burned. The firefighting efforts in those areas are being handled by Cal Fire crews. The fire has destroyed 57 homes with Cal Fire estimating full containment by Sept. 30."

Reference. Cal Fire, updated 8/20/16, "Soberanes Fire incident information," Monterey County.

Related articles. KSBW 8 (the Central Coast), Amy Larson, "Soberanes Fire will not be contained until Sept. 30, Cal Fire says." "BIG SUR, Calif. — Cal Fire pushed back its expected date for 100 percent containment of the Soberanes Fire from August 30 to September 30."  "....  For the past two weeks, firefighters have been protecting populated areas in Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, and Carmel Valley by drawing fire lines, igniting back fires, and pushing the fire southeast into the wilderness of Los Padres National Forest.  ....  Firefighters battling the Soberanes Fire have run into some uniquely sketchy situations while on the front lines over the past 29 days. Firefighters reported being unable to enter some wilderness areas because they were confronted by men who were likely trying to keep their illegal marijuana grows hidden."  LA Late News/Fire, 7/23/16, "Soberanes Fire map 2016: Monterrey California Fire Expands."  Radio 90.3 KAZU, NPR for Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz,"Soberanes Fire Updates," map includes Los Padres National Forest Closed Area.

Note photograph from ABC 7 TV News/Chris Nguyen/Soberanes Fire, 7/28/16, "Bulldozer operator killed near Soberanes Fire in Monterey County." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh