Plaskett Fire Swells to Over 27,000 Acres, Prompting Road Closures
Cal Fire said on 1 September that the Plaskett Fire in Big Sur had expanded to 27,580 acres, with roughly 1% containment, overtaking the nearby Timber Fire and prompting road closures and evacuation orders along Highway 1. The blaze, which ignited on 24 August, was first reported by KSBW as the Timber Fire burning more than 12,600 acres and 25% contained, leading to expanded evacuation zones in Monterey County. KSBW later noted the fire grew to nearly 19,300 acres with 21% containment and that Highway 1 would close for back-burning, and subsequently to 24,601 acres, resulting in a 54-mile closure and additional evacuation orders.
The Plaskett Fire was initially covered by the New York Post at about 6,000 acres and by The Guardian at roughly 5,900 acres, both prompting multiple evacuations and a 40-mile Highway 1 shutdown. Smoke from the two fires later spread to northern California, prompting health advisories, KCRA reported.
