The threat to the town of Big Sur is reduced, but mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders are in place for more than 200 homes in a rural area northeast of Big Sur.
Fire officials say the new round of evacuations include about 20 houses, but most are uninhabited summer cabins.
A Forest Service spokesman says the fire is still active, but officials think the controlled burn will help fire crews keep the flames from reaching the more populated Carmel Valley.
The blaze is 61 percent contained after consuming about 190 square miles of forest.
