Wildfire Threatens California Forests

A 300-acre wildfire along California’s scenic Big Sur coastline sent vacationers and residents packing Saturday, closing two state parks and parts of Highway 1.

About 900 firefighters battled the blaze about 30 miles south of Monterey. The fire threatened dozens of buildings, including 25 houses and two motels. It was not clear how many people were evacuated.

The fire began Friday, and the wind-whipped flames quickly spread into the Andrew Molera and Pfeiffer-Big Sur state parks, which are part of the Los Padres National Forest. Both parks were shut down Saturday, as was the Ventana Wilderness area to the east.

Last week, firefighters contained an arson wildfire 30 miles to the south after it scorched about 26,000 acres of the Los Padres National Forest over eight days.