Firefighters in California are battling two wildfires burning along the state’s Big Sur coast, with the larger Timber Fire growing by 4,000 acres in a single day and the smaller Plaskett Fire igniting nearby. As of Thursday evening, the Timber Fire had expanded to more than 23,000 acres, while the Plaskett Fire had grown to 140 acres, officials reported.
The Timber Fire, which began on August 8, remains 21% contained, a decrease from 25% containment on Sunday, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira. The fire’s rapid growth outpaced containment efforts, with crews struggling to build new control lines in steep, rugged terrain. Strong, erratic winds and red flag fire conditions expected Friday further complicated firefighting efforts. No civilian or firefighter injuries have been reported, and no structures have been damaged, though Silveira noted close calls at homes in the fire’s path.
Meanwhile, the Plaskett Fire ignited on Tuesday in a remote area of Monterey County, approximately 30 miles south of the Timber Fire. The blaze prompted brief closures of Highway 1 on Thursday as crews conducted water drops and back-burning operations to prevent the flames from spreading through canyons. A handful of isolated properties were under evacuation orders and warnings, and the fire’s cause remains under investigation. No containment has been reported for the Plaskett Fire.
Cal Fire’s Silveira described the proximity of the two fires as a "blessing and a curse." The blessing, he said, was the ability to flex resources to the Plaskett Fire for an aggressive initial attack. The curse, however, was the delay in bringing additional resources to the Timber Fire, which continues to challenge crews. Firefighters are also contending with high fire danger across much of California, driven by an increased risk of lightning and gusty winds from the remnants of a tropical storm in the Pacific.
Evacuations and highway closures have affected access to the region, with portions of Highway 1 closed near both fire zones. Crews have conducted deliberate back-burning operations to protect populated areas of Big Sur from the Timber Fire’s advance. The fire’s growth has been faster than crews could build new control lines, Silveira noted, and the challenging terrain has limited opportunities to establish advantageous positions for firefighting.
Officials have emphasized the importance of proactive measures by homeowners in the area, including clearing vegetation around properties to reduce fire risk. While no structures have been destroyed, the fires have come close to homes, underscoring the ongoing threat to the community. The situation remains fluid, with conditions expected to worsen before potential improvement with changing weather patterns.