The Palisades remained hours after mandatory evacuations were extended to Mandeville Canyon and parts of the communities of Brentwood and Encino, according to Monterey Battalion Chief Ryan Weddle. ) The fire had not yet reached residential areas or caused significant property damage as of 2 a.m. Saturday. Park Fire Department.
Mr. Weddle was sitting in his truck near the top of the ridge on the west side of the canyon. Out the window he could see the fire flowing down the steep, dry hill, making it look like a volcano.
“It’s a pretty good distance,” he said, adding that the winds were light enough to keep helicopters flying and spraying water and retardant on the fire.
Most residents appeared to have followed evacuation orders, but Mark Schlund, 55, who lives near the top of Cordelia Road on the west side of the canyon, was not among them. Never mind that the electricity had been cut off earlier that evening or that the police had approached him to leave.
“It’s slowly inching towards us, but it’s not sprinting,” he said.
Douglas Hein, 69, and his son Mike, 30, live a few doors away from Mr. Schlundt. They also hung around.
Mike Hein, a software engineer who designs apps for the film industry, said it was his father’s decision to stay. But having grown up there, he said leaving was difficult.
“I won’t sleep.” Shortly after 1 a.m., he stood at the top of the sidewalk with binoculars looking at the flames. “As long as I can see, I’m not worried.”
