Timber, Plaskett wildfires grow in Monterey County: Alarming warning, evacuation order, shelters, Highway 1 closure
Monterey County is battling expanding wildfires, with the Timber fire at 25,190 acres (22% contained) and the Plaskett fire at 26,734 acres (1% contained).
Two significant wildfires in Monterey County are rapidly spreading and challenging firefighting efforts. The larger of the two, called the Timber fire, has burned around 25,190 acres and is 22% contained, according to Cal Fire's incident page. Firefighters are focused on fortifying existing fire lines to contain the blaze, which was first reported on August 9 and still threatens Big Sur and nearby communities.
No new evacuation orders have been issued as of Monday night, but the Cal Fire incident management team remains in charge of the response, with assistance from the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County. The northern section of Highway 1, from Mile Marker 56 south to Mile Marker 45, has been closed due to the Timber fire.
Seventeen miles to the south, the Plaskett fire has grown to 26,734 acres and remains at only 1% containment. This fire, which started on August 26, is moving quickly through steep, rugged terrain with dense vegetation, making it difficult for ground crews to access. Evacuation orders have been put in place for several zones in southern Monterey County, and officials in San Luis Obispo County have also issued evacuation warnings.
Highway 1 is currently closed from Mile Marker 16.0 north of the Pacific Valley Bluff Trailhead to Mile Marker 2.1 south of Salmon Creek. The cause of the Plaskett fire is still under investigation.
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