Timber Fire (Day 29) and Plaskett Fire (Day 11) 9/5, Evening Update
Day: September 5, 2026
Plaskett Fire, Day 11, 9/5, Morning Update
2026 Plaskett Fire
Incident Update
Los Padres National Forest
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Fire Information:805-257-9891
Email:2026.Plaskett@firenet.gov
Forest Closure Information: Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order
Linktree: Plaskett Fire Linktree
Total Acres: 29,768 | 23% contained | Total Personnel: 2,134
Resources: 56 Crews | 111 Type 3 Engines | 33 Type 6 Engines | 30 Dozers | 13 Helicopters
9 Masticators | 13 Tactical Water Tenders
For more information on the Plaskett Fire, visit: Plaskett Fire Inciweb
Current Situation: Yesterday, firefighters leveraged favorable weather conditions and moderate fire behavior to make continued progress, increasing containment to 23%. Crews constructed and strengthened control lines, secured areas where firing operations occurred, and used direct attack where terrain and conditions allowed. Strategic firing operations were used to strengthen control lines and create defensible space around threatened structures and critical values. Several Type 1 helicopters supported crews on the ground by using a Mobile Retardant Base to slow the fire’s progression, which allowed firefighters to engage the fire directly. Helicopters also conducted targeted water drops on hotspots to help extinguish active fire and reinforce ground efforts. Type 3 helicopters conducted reconnaissance flights to gather intelligence and support strategic decision-making. Overnight, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) supported firefighters with aerial ignition operations on the southern side of the fire, helping to strengthen control lines and improve operational effectiveness.
Today, crews will build on yesterday’s progress along the southwest flank by tying handline into existing containment features and beginning mop-up in the area. On the northern edge, firefighters will conduct firing operations to address an island of unburnt fuel. To the northeast, control lines are still holding fire that had spread beyond the previously established line earlier in the week. Along the eastern side, crews will continue preparing strategic contingency lines with masticators while fire managers evaluate options to construct dozer lines and conduct direct attack with retardant on the southeast flank. Steep terrain, limited access, and heavy fuels remain challenging, and firefighters are working to strengthen and secure containment features ahead of an expected warming and drying trend next week. The incident continues to receive additional resources and is now supported by two forward operating bases located near active fire operations.
Timber Fire Information: For Information on the Timber Fire, please visit:
Los Padres National Forest Facebook Page
Weather & Air Quality:
Scattered morning clouds, mainly near the coast, will clear by midday leaving sunny skies across the region. Downvalley winds at 3-5 mph will turn upslope in the afternoon, with gusts reaching 7-10 mph. On the ridges, wind will come from the south at 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 15-18 mph. Temperatures will gradually increase over the weekend but remain below normal into Monday before returning to near normal next week. Increasing moisture late next week will contribute to increased cloud cover and elevated humidity.
Evacuations UPDATED:
Monterey County – Evacuation Orders (Leave Now):
Zones: MRY‑F034, MRY‑F035, MRY‑F036, MRY‑F037, MRY‑F038, MRY‑G016, FHL-G014, FHL- G017, FHL-G018, FHL- G019, FHL- G023, FHL- G026, FHL- G028, FHL- G012-B
Monterey County – Evacuation Warnings (Prepare to Go):
Zones: MRY‑F033, MRY‑G011‑A, MRY‑G012‑A, MRY‑G012‑B, MRY‑G015, MRY- F039, FHL-G004, FHL-G005, FHL-G008, FHL-G009, FHL-G012-A, FHL-G015, FHL-G016, FHL-G016-B, FHL-G020, FHL-G021, FHL-G022, FHL-G024, FHL-G025, FHL-G027, FHL-G029
Road Closures
Highway 1 remains closed north of the San Luis Obispo County line and south of Little Sur River, with no estimated time for reopening. The northern closure of Highway 1 supporting Timber Fire operations has been lifted from Post Mile 56 (south of Little Sur River) to Post Mile 45 (just south of the Big Sur Post Office).
Evacuation Shelters
Cambria: Cambria Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428
*Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect to identify the zone you reside in.
Timber Fire, Day 29, 9/5 Morning Update
The Timber fire experienced minimal growth because of proactive firefighting and favorable weather conditions. Cool and humid weather will continue into this evening, and a warming and drying trend is expected to contribute to increased fire activity in the coming days. Firefighters are getting ahead of that potential for increased fire behavior by utilizing air resources along the perimeter and crews on the ground where access allows.
Crews continue to focus on containment line in the northwest corner. North of Manuel Peak firefighters on the ground are hiking in and engaging the fire directly to secure lingering heat. Aircraft resources continue to continue to attack the slopover in that area while firefighters work to find a safe way to access the fire’s edge.
Aircraft has been effective in the rocky terrain on the east, with minimal heat being identified by daily infrared flights.
On the eastern perimeter of the fire in the Arroyo Seco area, hand crews connected completed dozer line, finalizing a continuous containment line around the fire’s perimeter. Today, crews are working to prepare and strengthen these lines.
To the south, firefighters continue work to build containment near Pick Creek
WEATHER: Mostly sunny conditions will develop after lingering morning clouds, with highs ranging from the mid‑60s to low‑70s and reaching the lower 80s near Arroyo Seco and Indians Road. Humidity will drop to 30-40% this afternoon, locally as low as 30% in the east, with overnight humidity recoveries reaching 70% in most areas of the fire. A quiet fire weather pattern stays in place through the evening, with a warming and drying trend expected past tonight.
ROAD CLOSURES: Road closures on Highway 1 in the Big Sur area have been reduced. Travelers are encouraged to drive cautiously as traffic increases during Labor Day weekend. To support Plaskett Fire emergency response efforts, Highway 1 remains closed between Pacific Valley at Post Mile 16 and Monterey/San Luis Obispo County line at Post Mile 0.0. Please avoid that area and use US 101 as an alternate route. https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=1 or https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
EVACUATIONS: Monterey County still has evacuation warnings and orders. View theInteractive Evacuation Page For current information and to sign up for alerts visit Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management website.
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 theClosure Order, and Closure Order Map.
Timber Fire Information
2026.Timber@firenet.gov
(831) 285-7006
Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-timber-fire