A second wildfire, dubbed the Plaskett fire, is rapidly expanding in the Big Sur region and is now advancing towards Highway 1, compounding existing firefighting challenges. This fire ignited on Tuesday in a remote area approximately 30 miles south of the Timber fire's origin and experienced explosive growth, surging from about 140 acres on Thursday to nearly 5,900 acres by Friday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Evacuation orders and warnings have been escalated across the region as the Plaskett fire continues its rapid spread. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira attributed the significant growth to unfavorable "red flag" weather conditions, which also hindered aerial reconnaissance efforts by an intelligence plane.
The Plaskett fire was observed approaching Highway 1 just south of Plaskett Ridge Road, with Cal Fire issuing an update that included visual evidence of flames nearing the crucial scenic highway. The department cautioned that fire behavior was intensifying, and as of Friday evening, the fire remained on a trajectory toward Highway 1, although its exact proximity remained unclear.
In response to the escalating threat, the California Highway Patrol has adjusted its closure of Highway 1. The roadway is now impassable from the Little Sur River (mile marker 56) to the north down to Gorda (mile marker 10.1) to the south, affecting a significant stretch of the vital coastal route.
Firefighting operations in Big Sur are inherently complicated by the area's micro-climate, which sees a drop in relative humidity at night, accelerating fire growth. Approximately 180 personnel are engaged in combating the Plaskett fire, while an additional 1,600 are assigned to the Timber fire. The Timber fire, which began on August 8, has consumed about 23,300 acres with 21% containment, showing only minor growth on Friday.
U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Lee Beyer noted that fires of this nature, lasting several weeks, are not uncommon for the region due to its rugged terrain and remoteness. He indicated that such fires can persist until a significant weather event, such as seasonal rain or snow, occurs, leaving the possibility of extended burning for several more weeks given the current fuel and weather conditions.
