Update June 18, 2020 – According to a CAL Fire report from 7 a.m. this morning the Avila Fire is now 90% contained. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A total of 445 acres were burned and crews are expected to have the fire out completely by 6 p.m. tonight.
This afternoon Cal Fire released a News Release requesting for anyone that may have information regarding the incident to please call the CAL Fire Hotline at 800-468-4408 or Crime Stoppers SLO 800-549-7867. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Original Report June 16, 2020
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Late Monday afternoon, a fire broke out on Highway 101 at Avila Beach Drive, which resulted in closing all northbound lanes and many evacuations. Videos from local residents traveling through the fire emerged on social media late Monday evening, showing the intense blaze and the hard work of the firefighters and first responders.
Firefighters worked hard throughout the night to build up containment lines and patrolled the neighborhoods. At 7 a.m. this morning, the XSL Incident Management Team took over the management of the Avila Fire from Cal Fire SLO. The fire is currently held at 20% contained and has burned over 400 acres.
Today all lanes are back open, however, northbound on and off-ramps at Spyglass remain closed and northbound Avila Beach Drive off-ramp is closed until further notice. Evacuations were lifted as of 11:30 p.m. last night, and PG&E will be replacing a pole near the shoulder of North Bound Highway 101.
UPDATE June 16 8:14 p.m. – Cal Fire just released that the Avila Fire is now 50% contained. The fire which has been burning since Monday evening off of Avila Beach Drive and Highway 101, East of Avila Beach has burned 400 acres and is 50% contained. Forward spread has stopped.
UPDATE June 16 4:25 p.m. – Throughout the day firefighters have been have been working non-stop to maintain fire lines. Their main goal is to keep the fire west of Thousand Hills Road, south of Indian Knob Road, east of Highway 101 and north of Shell Beach Drive.
Cal Fire reported a few hours ago that a small fire that broke out near Avila Beach in the 1500 block of Apple Orchard Lane, it was immediately contained after burning 1/4 an acre.
It was reported that all on and off-ramps have been re-opened, however Officials advise to drive with caution if you are traveling through the area.
