Fire officials have determined the Soberanes Fire that continues to rage and has already charred countless acres was caused by an illegal, abandoned campfire.

The blaze broke out across California nearly two weeks ago and as of Monday still remained just 18 percent contained. Thus far, at least 57 homes and 11 outbuildings have been destroyed and a bulldozer operator assigned to work the fire line has been killed.

Authorities have since identified the victim as 35-year-old Robert Reagan III, the father of two young daughters.

Investigators arrived at their ruling about the cause of the blaze after more than 150 hours of examining the scene and interviewing witnesses. The campfire in question was located up around a closed area of the park near the Soberanes Creek Trail estimated to be about 2 feet by 2 feet.

Charges Could be Coming 

Whoever started the campfire could face criminal charges, ranging from negligence to offenses related to the death of the bulldozer operator, according to Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo.

"I would encourage anybody who was in the area at the time of the fire to do the right thing and come forward with any information that they might have," added Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal.

After days of high humidity and sweltering temperatures, cooler conditions in the area of Big Sur are now aiding firefighters in their efforts to finally get a blaze that has already scorched more than 63 square miles under control.

Still, reports are more than 2,000 structures remain in jeopardy.

Goose Fire 

Meanwhile, rising heat continues to hamper the efforts of fire officials battling a blaze near the Fresno County town of Prather that has already forced hundreds of evacuations.

Known as the Goose Fire, the blaze has already damaged several homes and consumed some three square miles. It remains just 20 percent contained.

Just north of Los Angeles, the 65-square-mile Sand Fire is finally nearly contained, though a man who refused orders to evacuate his home has been found dead.

At one point, nearly 5,300 firefighters were assigned to battling the blaze, which is estimated to be as large as the size of the city of San Francisco.