Voluntary Evacuations To Be Lifted Near Basin Complex Fire

BIG SUR, Calif.- The last piece of the containment line burned out Thursday in the Basin Complex Fire, tying in the containment perimeter and allowing the Monterey County Sheriff's Office to lift all voluntary evacuations and road closures tonight at 6 p.m. The fire, which began June 21, was 79 percent contained as of 7 a.m. today and has burned 152,211 acres so far. There have been a total of nine injuries reported, and 26 houses and 32 other structures have been destroyed by the flames. Fire crews will continue to work on the containment lines over the next few days, and expect to have the fire completely contained by Wednesday. The cost of suppressing the fire has reached $71.9 million. Until tonight at 6 p.m., voluntary evacuations will remain in effect for Carmel Valley Road from San Clemente Road to Arroyo Seco Road;... [read full story]