Big Sur Blaze Still Threatens Homes

Officials say the blaze in the Los Padres National Forest is only 3 percent contained. It has burned nearly 42 square miles near the coast about a mile south of Big Sur.

The fire has destroyed 16 homes and two outbuildings since breaking out Saturday, and officials have issued voluntary evacuation notices to residents in 75 homes along a ridge threatened by the blaze.

Authorities have closed a long stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway threatened by the blaze, shutting off access to several lodges, restaurants and art galleries that depend on tourist traffic.

However, fire crews have thrown extra personnel into protecting some of the area's famous structures. The blaze came within a mile of some historic structures such as the Henry Miller Library, but firefighters have kept it at bay.

KCBS' Tim Ryan reports

Still, there is some good news from the National Weather Service. They say there is only a slight chance of additional lightning over the weekend. There is more of a chance in the Sierra.

Around 1,100 uncontrolled fires are burning in Northern California. In Lake and Colusa Counties the Walker Fire is now half contained. Firefighters made progress yesterday, and concluded that it was sparks from a vehicle, not lightning, that set off that blaze.

Near Chico, however, it was lightning that sparked 31 fires in the area. Those wildfires are only 15 percent contained, with firefighters efforts being hampered by high winds.

Another day of smoke-filled skies is prompting air quality officials to extend a health advisory for the Bay Area.

Officials with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District say because of smoke from wildfires burning in the region, the air throughout much of the nine counties in the Bay Area region is expected to reach unhealthy levels again Friday.

With air quality gauges recording elevated levels of particulate matter, officials are advising people to take steps to reduce their exposure, including limiting outdoor activities. This creates problems for anyone who wants to exercise outside. Many people are temporarily ditching their bikes to workout indoors.

"I won't go out there, I won't ride my bike at all," said one man. "My family lives in Gilroy, and I was going to ride there too, but they also have fires, so I haven't been able to ride for weeks."

Still others are willing to suck up a little soot for their workout.

"Obviously you would like to have good air quality, and not have to run with smoke in the air, but I'm going to do it anyway," said another man.

Doctors say healthy adults may cough or feel chest irritation because of the smoke, but probably won't have any long-term problems. However, they say kids, the elderly and those with respiratory problems should limit their outdoor activities.

KCBS' Chris Filippi reports