Plaskett Fire Update, Day 15, 8/9 Morning Update

2026 Plaskett Fire

Incident Update

Los Padres National Forest

Wednesday, September 9, 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: 29,862 |61% contained | Total Personnel: 1,879

Resources: 56 Crews | 105 Type 3 Engines | 35 Type 6 Engines | 31 Dozers | 14 Helicopters

9 Masticators | 15 Tactical Water Tenders

For more information on the Plaskett Fire, visit: Plaskett Fire Inciweb or Los Padres National Forest Facebook 

Current Situation:

Firefighters reached a significant milestone on the Plaskett Fire yesterday, increasing containment to 61% and completing a continuous system of handline, dozer line, roads and other containment features around the entire fire.

For the past three days, six Interagency Hotshot Crews have been “coyote spiked” along the rugged eastern edge of the fire. Four crews worked south from the northern end while two worked north from the south, constructing handline directly along the fire’s edge. Coyote spiking allowed these crews to remain close to their work area instead of making lengthy trips back to the main fire camp each day. This reduced driving exposure, gave firefighters more productive time on the fireline and allowed them to begin work earlier during the cooler part of the day.

Yesterday, that hard work paid off. The crews met and tied their handline together, closing one of the remaining gaps around the fire. With that connection complete, there is now handline, dozer line, roads or other containment features around the entire Plaskett Fire. Firefighters will continue working to strengthen and secure those lines before additional areas can be counted as contained.

Along Highway 1, firefighters are also transitioning into suppression repair where active suppression work is no longer needed. Suppression repair is the work done to reduce impacts from firefighting activities. Crews are removing hose and equipment, repairing areas disturbed during suppression operations, improving drainage and taking steps to reduce erosion and protect natural resources.

Reaching 61% containment and completing containment features around the entire fire are important milestones, but work remains. Firefighters will continue securing the perimeter, identifying and extinguishing remaining heat near the fire’s edge, and completing suppression repair as conditions safely allow.

Weather & Air Quality: 

Extremely low relative humidity occurred across much of the fire Monday night into Tuesday with some humidity readings under 10%. Varying cloud cover moved across the Plaskett Fire on Tuesday. Afternoon temperatures still ranged from mid 80s to around 100 with humidity between 10-25%. Winds were light and variable with clouds helping limit the strength of upslope winds. Temperatures will be well above normal Wednesday and Thursday. A heat advisory is in effect for the area until 10PM Thursday. Afternoon humidity will be 10-30% through at least Friday with poor recovery overnight. Terrain driven winds will continue to be the dominant wind with speeds 5-10 mph gusting to around 15 mph. 

Evacuations:

Monterey County – Evacuation Orders (Leave Now):
Zones: MRY‑F034, MRY‑F035, MRY‑F036, MRY‑F037-B, MRY‑F038-B, MRY‑G016, FHL-G014, FHL- G017, FHL-G018, FHL- G019, FHL- G023, FHL- G026, FHL- G028, FHL- G012-B, FHL-G011

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, MRY-F037-A, MRY‑F038-A

Road Closures:

Highway 1 is now open up through Gorda at the Caltrans maintenance facility. The closure begins there through south of the Kirk Creek Campground, with no estimated time for reopening.

Evacuation Shelter:

If you are in need of shelter due to fire-related evacuation, call Red Cross at: 805-678-3073

*Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect to identify the zone you reside in.