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Wildfire chases July 4th visitors from Big Sur

By AMANDA FEHD

Published: Jul 04, 2008

Independence Day is normally a booming time for tourism here, with visitors settling into cliffside vacation homes or trekking out to campgrounds nestled among the redwoods. But this year, the only out-of-towners in Big Sur are firefighters working around the clock to save the storied community from flames.

A ferocious wildfire burning through the Los Padres National Forest continued creeping closer to town Friday, after jumping a fire line and claiming several more homes this week. Locals who feared for their homes and businesses also had to worry about lost revenue during peak season.

"I'm sure the season is just toast," said Kurt Mayer, who ignored mandatory evacuation orders to defend his Big Sur Deli from the approaching fire. "Usually the busiest time is July and August, so I'm sure it's just going to be zero."

The stubborn blaze, which has burned more than 100 square miles, was just one of hundreds raging around the state. On Thursday, officials reported California's first firefighter death this year - a volunteer who collapsed on the fire line in Mendocino County. More

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