Keith Vandevere analysis of both the Timber Fire and the Plaskett Fire, 8/31

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.