Wildfire in Big Sur closes part of California’s Highway 1 and forces evacuations

A fire burning in California shut down part of Highway 1 and forced evacuations. As of Saturday morning, it had grown to 1,500 acres, and was 5% contained, according to Cal Fire. 

The American Red Cross opened a shelter late Friday evening for some residents who received mandatory evacuation orders due to the blaze, called the Colorado Fire, CBS SF Bay Area reports.

The fire was first reported at about 7:30 p.m. The emergency shelter for residents of the Palo Colorado area of Monterey County opened at 11:30 p.m. at Carmel Middle School.

The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 1 at Rio Road just outside of Carmel-by-the-Sea due to the fire. From south of the fire, Highway 1 was closed at Andrew Molera State Park, just north of Big Sur.

Early Saturday, winds topping 65 mph roared through Northern California, fueling the blaze.