Monday (8/31/26) Morning Update: The Timber Fire remains most active on the back side of the Cabezo Prieto Ridge near the Big Sur Valley. Heat detections suggest it may have crossed the South Fork of the Little Sur River in this area. If so, it is now poised to climb Launtz Ridge. From the top of Launtz Ridge it would overlook the North Fork of the Little Sur and the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp area.
Three new heat detections have appeared in the “Round Rock Creek” drainage (in the upper Carmel River watershed near the Ventana Double Cone) and fire could be seen actively burning in this area overnight.
The fire also appears to have become more active along the North Fork of the Big Sur River. This fire has reached the lower slopes of Black Cone and could run up it at any time. From the top of Black Cone, the fire would overlook Tassajara Creek and the Zen monastery (although it would have a lot of descending to do to get there).
The Plaskett Fire, meanwhile, has run north out of the Prewitt Creek drainage and into the Wild Cattle and Mill Creek watersheds and south into the Villa Creek watershed.
East of the Coast Ridge, it has run across Ft. Hunter Liggett nearly all the way to the Nacimiento River and south to a position just behind the Salmon Creek drainage.
Keith Vandevere, I have to say, I so appreciate your extensive knowledge of the Big Sur landscape. You provide more useful information than just about anybody! Thank you for sharing that with all of us.
Location: Southeast of Loma Vista, Monterey County
Size: 24,970 acres
Start date: August 8, 2026
Percent contained: 21%
Personnel Assigned:2,334 Firefighters
Cause: Under investigation
Plaskett Fire:
Location: East of Plaskett, Monterey County
Size: 15,478 acres
Start date: August 26, 2026
Percent contained: 1%
Personnel Assigned: 897 Firefighters
Cause: Under investigation
Timber Fire: 24,970 Acres, 21% contained and 2,334 firefighters assigned.
The Timber Fire remains active with moderate growth. Night shift crews worked to reinforce control lines and keep the fire in current containment lines.
Today’s priorities will be to contain the slop-over at Juan Miguel Creek north of Manuel Peak and connecting pieces of completed dozer and handline north toward Skinner Ridge and East toward Chews Ridge. Mop up and active patrolling continues along Highway 1 and communities along Big Sur.
Plaskett Fire: 15,478 Acres, 1% Contained and 897 firefighters assigned.
Crews worked aggressively throughout the night as the Plaskett Fire nearly doubled in size in the past 24 hours because of steady winds and thick vegetation with no fire history in the past 50 years.
The fire grew on all fronts, pushing north toward Prewitt Creek where firefighters worked stay ahead of the advancing front and conduct tactical firing operations from near San Miguel Creek along Prewitt Loop. Dozer line is in place to the north.
The fire pushed east onto Fort Hunter Liggett, near Anthony Creek and is more than a mile past South Coast Road.
Along the southern edge, crews conducted firing operations and implemented structure protection measures along Los Burro Road as the fire moved into Alder Creek.
The western edge of the fire backed downhill toward Highway 1 in the Pacific Valley/Sand Dollar Beach area.
Today’s efforts will continue to focus on structure protection and firing operations as conditions allow while seeking opportunity to go as direct as possible along the fire’s edge.
WEATHER:
Timber Fire location, winds will continue coming from the west, keeping humidity higher, especially below 2000 feet near Big Sur Village. Areas above 2000 feet will finally see some improvement, with humidity rising compared to recent days. Overall winds will stay onshore, with gusts up to 15 mph on the ridgetops, while lower‑slope winds will stay light at under 8 mph. Inland skies will be sunny, and coastal clouds will linger along the immediate shoreline this morning.
The Plaskett Fire region will stay covered by smoke, which will keep temperatures a bit cooler and slightly increase humidity. Light southwest winds are expected, and slope winds along Los Burros Road will work against the fire line.
ROAD CLOSURES AND: A hard road closure is in effect on State Route 1: For updates, visit:
REVISED FOREST CLOSURE ORDER: The Los Padres National Forest has issued an Area Closure for Forest Service managed lands surrounding the Timber and Plaskett Fires. Full text of the Closure Order, and Closure Order Map.
For current highway and evacuation information, visit Ready Monterey County:
