(20:18) MONTEREY COUNTY – Soberanes Fire, which began friday morning, has now burned about 16,000 acres, and is 10% contained. About 600 people have been evacuated from their homes, including this afternoon’s Mandatory Evacuation of a portion of Carmel Highlands. The area involved is Corona Road (east of Highway 1), and Riley Ranch Road (east of Highway 1). The rest of Carmel Highlands, South Of Rancho San Carlos, White Rock, and Old Coast Road (from Bixby Creek Road to Little Sur River) are under an Evacuation Advisory. Those residents are asked to be ready to evacuate at any time. There are now nearly 2300 firefighters, utilizing 210 engines, 14 helicopters, 6 air tankers, 56 bulldozers, and 20 water tankers to fight the wildfire that has destroyed 20 homes and 2 outbuildings. Several area parks are closed, as are some area roads, including Palo Colorado Road At Highway 1, Weston Ridge Road, Robinson Canyon Road, south of Penon Peak Trail, and Old Coast Road (between Bixby Creek And Andrew Molera State Park). At this time, Highway 1 is still open to through traffic.
