Pfeiffer Fire update: Voluntary evacuation issued, origin point identified.

The smoky haze is thick even on the Monterey Peninsula, and worse in Big Sur as firefighters continue battling the blaze that started on Sunday night. 

The good news: Weather conditions are favorable right now. The bad news: That doesn't necessarily matter. 

"This is a fuel-driven fire," says Andrew Madsen, spokesman for the Los Padres National Forest. "This area hasn’t burned in decades. Some of this vegetation is so dense and thick it boggles the mind. You don’t need very much wind, it just smolders and smolders."

The latest figures on acreage burned and containment (550 acres, 5 percent) were reported at 6am this morning, and those numbers will be updated at 6pm tonight. 

"I don’t anticipate we’ll see a whole lot of additional growth," Madsen adds.

U.S. Forest Service's Central Coast Team 7 took over command of the fire this morning, and as of 6am today, 465 personnel were assigned to the Pfeiffer Fire. 

A voluntarily evacuation watch has been given to all residents on the west side of Highway 1 between Fernwood and River Inn. Notices were delivered in person by law enforcement officials. 

Fire officials confirm the point of origin is on the west side of Highway 1, across from the Big Sur Lodge. No campfires are allowed on that side of the highway in that area. An investigation into the cause is ongoing. 

Meanwhile, county staff and Cal Fire are assembling a team to go in tomorrow and begin a damage assessment, Regional Cal Fire Chief Rick Hutchinson reported to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in presentation Tuesday morning.