A Los Padres National Forest firefighter carries a fluid canister as he lights grass and brush during a controlled burn on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road near Lockwood, Calif. on Sept. 9, 2020. After days of warm weather and extreme fire behavior, low winds and high relative humidity allowed firefighters to gain containment along the eastern edge of the fire with controlled burns.
A helicopter brings a load of water to a hot spot on the eastern edge of the Dolan Fire on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. With low winds and high relative humidity, firefighters were able to perform controlled burns with the help of air support.
Los Padres National Forest firefighters working the Dolan Fire carry supplies down Nacimiento-Fergusson Road as they monitor a controlled burn near Lockwood, Calif. on Sept. 9, 2020.
A structure is destroyed by the Carmel Fire on Aug. 19, 2020.
A firefighter working the Dolan Fire in Big Sur carries a chainsaw as they prepare for the night crew to take over a structure protection operation on Aug. 20, 2020.
A firefighter with the Laguna Hotshots carries supplies as the crew packs up and the night crew arrives on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Firefighters working the Carmel Fire ride up Buck Mountain Road on Aug. 19, 2020.
Trees and brush continue to smolder from the Carmel Fire along both sides of Cachagua Road on Aug. 19, 2020.
Los Padres National Forest firefighters light brush during a controlled burn along Nacimiento-Fergusson Road on the eastern edge of the Dolan Fire on Sept. 9, 2020.
Members of the Laguna Hotshots sharpen their tools after digging a fire line in an attempt to protect a home from the Dolan Fire on Aug. 20, 2020.
A hose left behind by firefighter working the Carmel Fire lies along Cachagua Road on Aug. 19, 2020.
Sparks shot by a Los Padres National Forest firefighter fly over other crew members managing a controlled burn on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road near Fort Hunter Liggett in Lockwood, Calif. on Sept. 9, 2020.
The Carmel Fire’s glow can be seen from River Road in Carmel Valley on Aug. 19, 2020.
A couple stands on the side of River Road watching the River Fire creep towards a neighborhood in Salinas, Calif. on Aug. 19, 2020.
The Dolan Fire has become the fourth largest fire in Monterey County’s recorded history at 128,417 aces, and as of Sept. 23 is 44% contained.
Fire retardant covers hillsides throughout Cachagua in Carmel Valley. The Carmel Fire was active for 35 days, burned 6,905 acres and destroyed 73 structures (50 homes, 23 other structures).
A tree burned by the Carmel Fire smolders on a hillside covered in ash on Aug. 19, 2020.
Smoke filled the skies in Monterey County and much of the West Coast for weeks as fires burned all over the Western United States in August and September of 2020.
Smoke fills the sky as the Dolan Fire burns along Highway 1 in Big Sur on Aug. 20, 2020. Firefighters prioritized structure protection and mitigation to prevent the fire from jumping to the west side of the highway where the terrain is nearly impossible to access.
A ladder and a hose sit on a roof at a home in Big Sur as the Dolan Fire approaches on Aug. 20, 2020. Residents in Big Sur know that wildfires are a real threat and one resident prepared by installing water lines and a tank for firefighters to use.
A night crew that just took over a structure protection operation evaluates the situation as fire approaches a home on Aug. 20, 2020.
A hillside on the east side of Highway 1 burns as the Dolan Fire continues to spread on Aug. 20, 2020.
The River Fire creates a glow that can be seen from River Road in Carmel Valley late on Aug. 20, 2020.
