A wildfire ravaging the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County grew to more than 2,000 acres in the early hours of Saturday.
According to The National Wildfire Coordinating Group's website, the fire is being pushed towards the Tassajara Zen Center and Hot Springs, Chews Ridge Lookout, Miller Canyon and Mira Observatory due to winds from the west.
With no current containment of the fire, the group expects the blaze in the hot and dry Ventana Wilderness south of Monterey to continue to spread, prompting potential evacuation orders for other parts of the area South of Carmel Valley between Big Sur and U.S. Highway 101.
On Friday, officials had already ordered evacuations from The Zen Center, the Arroyo Seco Recreation Area and Tassajara Road from the Zen Center to China Camp.
Officials added that the recent coastal heatwave and current California drought have made for perfect wildfire conditions.
“The fire is burning in steep, rugged and brushy terrain that is accessible only by hiking in,” the statement said. “Weather conditions are hot and dry with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees with low humidity levels.”
The Willow Fire is reported to have started at 8:10 p.m. near Willow Creek on Thursday.
Authorities have not included a containment figure in their update, but said about 337 firefighters were assigned to the project on the ground.
Evacuation information can be found on the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services website.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.