Big Sur fire

A firefighter puts water on the base of a burning tree, part of a backfire to prevent flames from reaching Ventana Inn and Spa. The Basin Complex Fire has forced the closure of nearly 100 miles off Highway 1 from south of Carmel to north of San Simeon.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

A firefighter uses an electric cart from the Ventana Inn and Spa as part of structure protection for the resort’s buildings. Walking past him are Casey Johnson, left, and Brandon Stroud, private contract firefighters from Middleton, Idaho.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Heavy smoke and clouds blanket the Big Sur coastline as the Basin Fire continues to burn.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Supreet Gill, right, hugs a friend in a parking lot along Highway 1 in Big Sur on Thursday as the fire forced mandatory evacuations along nearly 100 miles of the highway. Only 3% contained, the Basin Fire has burned about 20 homes and out-buildings.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Kurt Mayer, left, who owns Big Sur Center Deli and General Store, and Jason Fann, who owns Big Sur Spirit Center, can only watch as the fire burns close to their businesses along Highway 1.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Two firefighters silhouetted against a smoke-filled sky observe a flareup as flames threatened the the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters take a rest on a ridgeline near the Ventana Inn and Spa, which was evacuated early this morning.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Gorden Sabo of Rapid City, S.D., slathers a home in a fire retardant gel foam as fire jumped the lines near the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Jonathan Farrington, general manager of the Ventana Inn in Big Sur, wields a firehouse to help protect the resort. The guests evacuated early this morning, but Farrington and one other member of his staff stayed to help firefighters.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Two workers at the Ventana Inn and Spa help evacuate guests this morning in Big Sur as fire threatened the resort.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters from central Colorado are helping to protect the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Laura Elliott and her dog Oso rest outside the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur after the resort was evacuated early this morning. Her husband is building and refurbishing housing units at the facility.  (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)