Update: Tassajara Fire's cause may be linked to its one death.

One civilian was reported dead Sunday after a devastating fire scorched 1,200 acres along Tassajara and Cachagua roads in the Jamesburg area, and authorities say the death may be connected to the original source of the fire.

"We do believe there is a connection," Mark Edria, CalFire's incident commander said Sunday afternoon.

The body was found badly burned inside a similarly charred vehicle in a burned zone Saturday.

Monterey County Sheriff's Office spokesman John Thornburg says the death is under investigation, but at this point does not appear to suggest homicide. He says the person appears to have committed suicide.

The Tassajara fire, which started about 3pm Saturday, has continued to spread and as of 4pm Sunday it had seared 1,200 acres. By 6pm, firefighters were able to contain 30 percent of the fire, and put out about 100 acres leaving fire crews to battle 1,086 acres through the evening.

The fire's raging flames have destroyed 22 structures, 10 of which were homes, and hundreds more continue to be threatened.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Carmel Valley Road at Cachagua and Hastings Reservation roads—a stretch of nearly 10 miles. At this time, only emergency personnel is allowed to enter the affected area.

Monterey County Sheriff's deputies had planned to escort people who live in the affected areas in the afternoon, but cancelled just before 3pm because conditions were too dangerous. At noon, one family was able to be escorted home.

The Red Cross is providing quarters at Carmel Middle School, located at 4380 Carmel Valley Road, for families that are displaced by the fire. The Carmel School District has also drafted plans to help those affected by the wildfire.

The SPCA of Monterey County is managing evacuation for large animals and can be called at 831-373-2631 if needed. The agency also has pet food and other essential supplies available at Carmel Middle School for evacuees, rescued 54 animals located behind the fire lines and shared some pet-friendly lodging options in Monterey County for those ordered to evacuate.

On Sunday morning, nearly 600 firefighters battled the blaze, which has sent heavy smoke throughout the county, who will continue working under very hot weather conditions. According to Sunday's forecast, temperatures will near 100 degrees and winds will range between 2 and 7 miles per hour. By Monday morning, there were 260 firefighters in the area.

While battling the flames, firefighters were dealt with two wind shifts Sunday afternoon that tested their fire lines, but so far, the blaze hasn't jumped the lines. Edria says the first westward wind shift on Saturday evening took out the 10 houses.

A command post camp was set up Sunday at Oak Ridge Ranch across Carmel Valley Road at the base of Tassajara Road. The command post will provide bathrooms, a mobile kitchen trailer and a briefing area to firefighters and other staff.

"It's going to be an extended attack," Edria says.

Water is being obtained from several places including ponds, reservoirs and the Corral de Tierra Country Club. Tankers are also bringing water from Hollister and Paso Robles.

The Tassajara Fire was one of two wildfires burning in Monterey County, as reported by the Weekly yesterday when they broke out within one hour of one another.

As of 2pm Sunday, the Laureles Fire along the Monterey-Salinas Highway 68 was 100 percent contained after burning 95 acres.

The cause of this fire is also under investigation.

CalTrans plans to request a slower speed limit of 35 miles per hour along the highway as a safety measure for firefighters working in the area.

For live updates follow CalFire's Monterey County bureau and the Monterey County Health Department on Twitter.