CURRENT SITUATION: The Plaskett Fire, near the 30900 Block of Los Burros Rd, approximately two miles east of Plaskett Creek Campground, was reported this morning. PLASKETT FIRE EVACUATION ORDER and WARNINGS: Effective immediately, The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for the following Evacuation Zone: MRY-F036. An Evacuation Order means you should leave the area now due to an immediate threat to life and property.  Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an Evacuation Warning for Monterey County Zones MRY-F035 and MRY-F037. When a Warning is issued, assume an Evacuation Order could follow. This is your window to get ready: especially if you have pets, large animals, or if you need extra time or assistance to leave. Follow directions of public safety officials. Monitor official channels for updates. More info: alertmry.org/alerts

10:30 am – 50 acres and asking for permission for retardant.

10 am – Fire was spotted and called in by JC this am. HE is on Plaskett, not the fire. The fire is in the south fork of Willow Creek near the north fork junction. More of a threat to Los Burros people at this point than to Plaskett, but that will change at some point.

Here is a photo JC took about 10 am: AA from Santa Maria on site or on the way.

Wednesday (8/26/26) Morning Update: The Timber Fire ran northwest out of Ventana Creek shortly after sunset last night, crossing into the headwaters of the South Fork Little Sur River. While the fire is centered over the Big Sur River watershed, it is now getting established in both the Carmel and Little Sur watersheds as well.

On the west, an active fire front now stretches from the base of Mt. Manuel (on Ventana Creek) north through Doolan’s Hole and all the way to the Little Sur side of the ridge. This means runs to the top of Mt. Manuel and the Cabezo Prieto Ridge could happen at any time – likely causing renewed evacuation orders in the Big Sur Valley.

The far northern end of the fire continues slowly backing down into the Carmel River watershed near the Ventana Double Cone, mainly in a drainage sometimes unofficially called Round Rock Creek, since it enters the Carmel River near Round Rock camp.

The eastern side of the fire has still not made any runs up to Pine Ridge or the South Ventana Cone. This could happen at any time, as these are steep, brush covered slopes. Instead, it has continued to flank to the east along the lower slopes.

Fire has also remained quite active, and has continued moving east, on the ridge between the North and South Forks of the Big Sur River. It now seems certain that the entire Big Sur watershed will burn – not a great scenario heading into an El Niño winter.

The southern end of the fire has also remained active, becoming better established in Pick Valley, and moving into a position where it will be able to run west at the Coast Ridge. Firefighters have been preparing for days to prevent it from recrossing the Coast Ridge in this area.