Fire burns 300 acres near the Carrizo Plain in San Luis Obispo County
CalCoastNews
August 12, 2026
Neighbors, if you’ve been watching the eastern sky today, you might have seen smoke rising from the Carrizo Plain. A fire broke out shortly after noon near the 9400 block of Soda Lake Road, and by late afternoon Cal Fire reported it had grown to about 300 acres. The Carrizo is one of our most treasured, remote landscapes—home to wildflowers, pronghorn, and that quiet sense of vastness you can’t find anywhere else. So when fire moves through it, it hits close to home, even for those of us who haven’t made the drive out there yet.
Cal Fire crews are on the scene, and we’re grateful for their quick work. As of this writing, the fire was still burning, and we’ll be following CalCoastNews for updates. If you live or travel in that area, keep an eye on road closures and be ready to adjust your plans. And if you’re like me, maybe take a moment to appreciate the open spaces we have—and the people who work to protect them.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from CalCoastNews.
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August 12, 2026
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