MONTEREY COUNTY — Evacuation orders were lifted Friday evening for the communities within and surrounding the Carmel and River fire burn scars.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement after an atmospheric river weather event impacted the county the past few days, resulting in downed trees and power lines, flooding, mudslides and debris flows.
According to the county, about 2,403 structures were immediately threatened due to their proximity to the Carmel, River and Dolan fire burn scars. Approximately 7,900 people were ordered to evacuate.
“The determination to repopulate and lift the evacuation orders comes after extensive efforts to inspect damage, ensure public and private property is safe for use, and that the threat of debris and mud flows has subsided,” the county said in a news release Friday.
The county said this was a unified decision between the sheriff’s office, Monterey County Building Department, Monterey County Environmental Health, Monterey County Public Works, Monterey County Regional Fire, Big Sur Fire, California Highway Patrol and CalTrans, with technical assistance provided by the National Weather Service and California Geological Survey.
Evacuation orders for the Dolan Fire burn scar remain in place.
