They lit off the backburn about 4 hrs ago (about 10 am). I went up to Prewitt and spoke with a few dozer operators. The had high confidence the containment line from SCRRoad, Prewitt and from Prewitt to HWY1 would hold. Looking East towards FHL and S towards Plaskett looked well under control. The temp was mid 60’s with fog coming up the slopes of Prewitt.
1-Firefighting crew trucks at Prewitt Camp.
2-SCRRoad from Alms looking over the Knoch area towards Chaulk Peak and FHL.
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.
Timber Fire:
Fire information: (831) 285-7006
Fire email: 2026.timber@firenet.gov
Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-timber-fire
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-plaskett-fire
| 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:
https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=1 or https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
EVACUATIONS
Monterey County has issued evacuation warnings and orders. View the Interactive Evacuation Page For current information and to sign up for alerts visit Monterey County’sDepartment of Emergency Management website.
San Luis Obispo County has issued Evacuation Warnings for areas affected by the Plaskett Fire – Visit https://www.readyslo.org/emergency/current-protective-actions/ for additional information.
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:
http://alertmry.org/alerts or http://alertmry.org/map
Timber Fire Information
2026.Timber@firenet.gov
(831) 285-7006
Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-timber-fire
In doubled in size from yesterday to today. This is from BEU and USFS on Facebook this evening:
#PlaskettFire Update
The Plaskett Fire has been recently mapped at 15,478 acres and remains 1% contained.
The fire remains active, with fire backing down toward Highway 1. Firefighters continue to prioritize structure protection as a large surge of additional resources arrives on-scene.
The fire has gained the most acreage on the eastern side, burning toward Fort Hunter Liggett, and to the south, where crews are actively engaged in structure defense along Los Burros Road. Night-flying helicopters are supporting continued structure protection overnight.
Crews not assigned to structure protection are opening containment line along Prewitt Ridge and South Coast Ridge Road. With no fire history in some areas for more than 50 years, heavy vegetation is contributing to active fire behavior.
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are expected over the next several days. Firefighters will take advantage of favorable conditions to look for every opportunity to use direct containment tactics.
Fire information: (831) 285-7006
Fire email: 2026.timber@firenet.gov
Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-timber-fire
Timber Fire:
| Location: Southeast of Loma Vista, Monterey County | Size: 24,839 acres |
| Start date: August 28, 2026 | Percent contained: 21% |
| Personnel Assigned:2,192 Firefighters | Cause: Under investigation |
Plaskett Fire:
| Location: East of Plaskett, Monterey County | Size: 8,241 acres |
| Start date: August 26, 2026 | Percent contained: 1% |
| Personnel Assigned: 661 Firefighters | Cause: Under investigation |
Timber Fire:
The Timber Fire showed some activity on its southeast corner near Partington Ridge as winds picked up overnight. However, night crews along the highway were able to quickly extinguish and mop up hot spots, and overall the highway edge and the road into Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park looked good and cold.
Assignments today will continue as they have for the last few days, with heavy equipment opening roads and containment lines from previous fires and hotshot crews accessing and opening areas that the dozers are unable to reach. Hotshots are being supported in remote areas by helicopter, including by line medics, who have been flown out to ensure that any injuries on the line receive quick care.
Plaskett fire:
The Plaskett Fire was active all night, and firefighters remained in engaged in structure defense along the Los Burros road overnight, supported by night flying aircraft. Rocks rolling onto Highway 1 remains a concern.
Fire crews near Sand Dollar and Plaskett creek executed tactical firing operations overnight as the fire backed toward structures and residences. Firefighters maintained the perimeter near Plaskett Creek, while northern teams opened existing road systems and installed hose lines. On the eastern front, the fire reached the length of the primary dozer line, crossing South Coast Road and resulting in several slop-overs into Fort Hunter Liggett. Ground teams, supported by multiple fuel cycles from night flying helicopters, engaged these slop-overs and conducted defensive firing near Los Burros Road to protect threatened homes and structures. Additionally, crews identified a new 100-foot by 100-foot spot fire across Buckeye Road in the Willow Creek drainage.
Priorities for fire operations during the day are the protection of residential areas along the Los Burros ridge and toward Alder Creek. Crews will work to contain the small spot fire while scouting terrain further east of the ridge roads to establish new secondary fuel breaks. Operations will also continue to monitor fire spread backing toward Highway 1 to improve protection for coastal structures.
Today, a large resource surge will continue, with firefighters reporting to logistical bases established to support both fires at Haystack, Big Sur, and at Plaskett. A Mobile Retardant Base is being established on the east side of the fire to assist with aerial support on the fire’s east side.
WEATHER: No major day over day changes forecast with mostly sunny skies. Smoke shading will be more prevalent on the Plaskett fire. Temperatures running near or a few degrees below normal, mainly in the mid 70s to mid 80s. Humidity readings will trend more seasonable with afternoon minimums 18-28%. General winds from the Northwest 5-10 mph with afternoon ridgetop gusts to 15 mph. Most of the winds over the fire will be diurnally driven and light under 8 mph. The marine layer depth should be around 2000 feet and confined to the immediate coastline after mixing out by 1000 hours.
ROAD CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS: A hard road closure is in effect on State Route 1: For updates, visit:
https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=1 orhttps://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
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:
http://alertmry.org/alerts or http://alertmry.org/map
Timber and Plaskett Fire Information
2026.Timber@firenet.gov
(831) 285-7006
Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-timber-fire
Plaskett Fire — Effective immediately, The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an Evacuation Order for Evacuation Zone MRY-F037. Map: AlertMRY.org/map
An Evacuation Order means you should leave the area now due to an immediate threat to life and property. Follow directions of public safety officials. Monitor official channels for updates.
More info: alertmry.org/alerts
The Los Padres National Forest has issued Forest Order 05-07-51-26-10, effective August 29, 2026, establishing an emergency closure for the Monterey Ranger District to protect public safety during the Timber and Plaskett Fires.
This order replaces Order 05-07-51-26-08 and remains active until the fires are officially declared out.
Closed Areas:
All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Area are off-limits to the public.
Exceptions:
Pfeiffer Beach and Sycamore Canyon Road remain open.
Exemptions:
Authorized personnel on official duty (emergency responders, agency officers), private land owners/residents needing access (provided no active evacuation order is in effect), and individuals holding specific Forest Service permits (FS-7700-48).
Penalties:
Violations carry fines of up to $5,000 for individuals ($10,000 for organizations), up to six months imprisonment, or both.
Last night was wild. Got about 2 hrs of sleep from 6:30 to 8:30, once the flames around the property subsided. Calfire operated a burn from Plaskett ridge road above our water tanks down to the highway and kept it to the south side of our house and Merritts. As far as I’ve heard, no structures lost last night except for a basic platform deck on our property above my house. Here’s some photos.
Saturday (8/29/26) Morning Update: Other than around Mt. Manuel, the Timber Fire has been pretty quiet over the past 24 hours. But quiet does not mean out. The fire continues to slowly smolder or burn along most of its backcountry perimeter.
Around Mt. Manuel, firefighters began burning along the Cabezo Prieto Ridge toward Post Summit and down Hopkins Ridge toward Highway One. This is intended to halt the further progression of the fire into the Big Sur Valley. Watch Duty reports that the fire in this area “pushed south and breached control features in multiple areas…” I interpret this as meaning that the fire may have gotten across the hand lines protecting the developed portions of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. There are quite a few heat detections showing in developed park areas. Hopefully, that slop over has now been extinguished.
The Plaskett Fire remained active during the day yesterday, finally cooling off some last night. While active, it spread further into the Prewitt Creek drainage, back to the Coast Ridge in the Willow Creek drainage and down to the Highway, just north of Willow Creek. Structure protection remains the top priority.
Acres burned 5924 and containment 0%
The Plaskett Fire experienced slight progression overnight, continuing to back downslope toward Highway 1 south of Plaskett Road. Fire activity moderated during the overnight period under improved humidity recovery and increased marine influence. Crews remain actively engaged along this portion of the incident, monitoring fire movement and reinforcing control features as conditions allow.
On the upper portion of the incident, fire activity continues to influence areas toward South Coast Ridge Road. Dozers and ground resources are extending, improving, and strengthening approximately seven miles of containment line associated with the South Coast Ridge Road system. These control features continue to hold, and crews will focus today on increasing line depth, improving access, and securing areas where fire activity could challenge established containment features.
Structure defense remains a primary operational priority. Resources continue evaluating threatened areas, preparing structures, and positioning personnel and equipment where changing fire conditions could increase structure exposure. Aviation resources will support ground operations with water drops as visibility and weather conditions allow, focusing on slowing fire progression and reducing fire intensity near structures and critical control features.
Additional personnel and equipment are expected to arrive on the incident today, increasing operational capacity and allowing resources to expand suppression, structure-defense, and contingency operations.
Update via CAL FIRE
