UPDATED: Soberanes Fire Grows to 43,400 Acres, 18% Contained

Monterey County, CA --An abandoned campfire caused the massive Soberanes Fire that has burned more than 43,000 acres north of Big Sur in Monterey County, Cal Fire officials said Tuesday.

The campfire was reported by two hikers just as the fire broke out on July 22. The hikers needed to move to a place where there was cellphone reception to report the fire, so the precise location of the abandoned campfire hadn't been determined.

Cal Fire investigators are asking anyone who was in the area of Garrapata State Park that morning and might have seen something to call (800) 468-4408.

The fire was 18 percent contained at 43,400 acres as of this morning. The rugged terrain has made it difficult for the 5,451 firefighters working to extinguish the blaze. It began around 8:45 a.m. on July

Investigators estimate the fire will be 100 percent contained at the end of the month.

PG&E crews have begun repairing power lines and poles that were damaged in the fire, starting in Carmel-by-the Sea, utility officials said. Six outages have been reported since the fire broke and flames continue to threaten equipment and facilities in the area, according to PG&E.

Crews will continue to work to return service and rebuild infrastructure as safely and as quickly as possible, PG&E officials said.

Smoke is expected to clear this afternoon in many cities north of the fire, including Gilroy, Santa Cruz and Salinas, according to Cal Fire. Heavy smoke among the coast is forecasted to head east Tuesday and air quality is estimated to improve on Wednesday, agency officials said.

The fire took the life of 35-year-old Robert Oliver Reagan, a Friant, California resident, succumbed to fatal injures along the fire line. Reagan leaves behind two young children and a wife, according to a GoFundMe account fund that has been set up to help the family.

Teams have been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding Reagan's death and what started the fire. The blaze has also destroyed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings in addition to damaging three structures and two outbuildings, Cal Fire officials said.

Roughly 350 residents have been evacuated in areas including the Palo Colorado community, Old Coast Road and Tassajara Road. Evacuees can receive assistance at a center set up at All Saints' Day School located at 8060 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel-by-the Sea, according to Cal Fire.

People have been allowed to return to the areas of Carmel Highlands, Santa Lucia Preserve, Riley Ranch Road, Red Wolf Drive and Corona Road, Cal Fire officials said.

Many people have been warned of possible evacuations as the fire threatens 2,000 structures. Closures remain in place along multiple roads, state parks and trails at Los Padres National Forest within the impacted area, Cal Fire officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

--Images from Cal Fire. Bay City News contributed to this report.