Big Sur wildfire encircled

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The blaze, which was contained Tuesday night, took eight days to encircle. No date for full control of the blaze was given.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service offered a $5,000 reward for help in finding those responsible for setting the wildfire.

The reward will go to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist, Los Padres National Forest spokeswoman Kathy Good said. U.S. Forest Service officials would not discuss the investigation or say whether there were any suspects.

Meanwhile, the cost of fighting the fire reached $5.5 million and was expected to rise to $6.3 million by the time it is controlled, Good said.

The fire -- 25 miles south of this scenic coastal hamlet -- has burned five single-family homes, along with nine outbuildings and two travel trailers in the Wild Cattle Canyon area.

At least six firefighters have been injured, including three who were seriously injured in a fall down a steep slope. About 1,500 firefighters were battling the blaze, backed by 77 fire engines, five air tankers, nine helicopters and 17 bulldozers.

The number of firefighters battling the fire was expected to drop today as crews began to demobilize, Los Padres National Forest spokesman Rich Tobin said.

Officials said they expected the wildfire to increase by a few thousand acres more as firefighters try to control the fire by burning islands of vegetation and establishing fire lines along Fort Hunter Liggett, an Army training base.