A firefighter walks around his truck in Big Sur, where light winds appeared to be pushing a blaze back on itself Monday. Last week, firefighters saved the well-known Deetjen Big Sur Inn in Central California from the wildfire. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)
Two firefighters watch smoke from the Big Sur wildfire Monday. Firefighters hoped coastal fog would help them gain ground against the blaze. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)
A helicopter prepares to dump water on the Big Sur wildfire. Much of the area’s terrain is steep and inaccessible to heavy equipment. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)
Martha Karstens of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade keeps an eye on smoke from the wildfire. John Heil, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the blaze had blackened nearly 40,000 acres. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)
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A helicopter flies above the popular restaurant and shop Nepenthe after picking up water to douse on the Big Sur blaze. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)
Near Big Sur, crews with the U.S. Forest Service have been feverishly trying to construct fire breaks to protect Palo Colorado Canyon, a scattered collection of homes hidden in the steep hills east of California 1. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)