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but as john blackstone reports, several homes have been destroyed. >> reporter: in december, the dramatic coastline and mountains of big sur should be under rain clouds, not thick smoke from a wildfire. but rainfall is 84% below normal. martha karstens is chief of the big sur volunteer fire department. >> i can't remember if we've ever had a fire in december. we had earlier -- in the beginning, like in april or may, but december, no. christmas around the corner? no. >> reporter: karstens' home was one of those lost in the unusually dry forest. the fire spread with such speed, it even surprised the fire chief. >> i have no idea how it was even started. it was just everything is dry, ready to burn. >> reporter: 16-year-old fabian perez tried to save his home. >> me and my dad ran out, we got fire hoses, we started fighting the blaze but it was too late. i've lived there my whole life