UPDATE (7:12 p.m.) - Mandatory evacuations have been issued for areas south of Salinas due to the River Fire.
Residents near Pine Canyon Rd, Parker Rd, Laurel Ln and Trimble Hill Ln. are being told to evacuate.
The River Fire has burned more than 1,000 acres and is 10% contained, according to CAL FIRE SLO.
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ORIGINAL STORY (2:12 p.m.) - CAL FIRE crews say a lightning strike sparked a brush fire at the top of Pine Canyon in Monterey County early Sunday morning.
According to a news release from the CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit, crews received a call at about 3:14 a.m. reporting a vegetation fire near Toro Peak, approximately five miles south of Salinas.
Upon arrival, CAL FIRE officials said the so-called River Fire grew to about one acre. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire has reached 20 acres and is 20 percent contained.
There are no structures threatened and no evacuation warnings or orders in place, authorities said.
CAL FIRE is on scene with Monterey County Regional Fire District. There are approximately 110 fire personnel, one air tactical observation platform, four air tankers, two helicopters, six fire engines, three fire crews, two bulldozers and two water tenders battling the River Fire, according to the release.
