Plaskett

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Plaskett Fire ignited at approximately 11:01 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. It is located near Forest Road 23S10, east of Los Burros Road in Plaskett, Monterey County, approximately 30 miles down the coast from Big Sur in the Los Padres National Forest.
Size and Containment: As of the morning of August 29, 2026, the fire has burned 5,924 acres and remains at 0% containment.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has seen explosive growth over the last 72 hours, expanding from roughly 140 acres on Thursday to nearly 6,000 acres by Friday night. Driven by one-foot-tall short grass fuels and brush, the fire behavior features moderate activity with uphill runs, flanking, and single-tree torching. It has crossed Plaskett Ridge, establishing itself in the canyon behind Pacific Valley, and has also been backing downslope toward Highway 1, south of Plaskett Ridge Road.
Containment Efforts: The fire is being managed as a Type 1 Incident by California Complex Incident Management Team 3, in unified cooperation with the US Forest Service and CAL FIRE. Hundreds of personnel are assigned to the incident. Aviation resources, including heavy helicopters, are supporting ground operations with water drops as visibility allows. Dozers and ground crews are actively extending, improving, and strengthening approximately seven miles of containment line associated with the South Coast Ridge Road system. The estimated cost to combat the blaze has reached $1.5 million.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There is an immediate threat to life in several areas. Lawful evacuation orders to LEAVE NOW have been issued for zones MRY-F034, MRY-F035, MRY-F036, and MRY-G016.
Evacuation Warnings: There is a potential threat to life and/or property. Evacuation warnings are in place for zones MRY-F033, MRY-F037, and MRY-G015. Those who require additional time to evacuate, as well as those with pets and livestock, should leave now.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Residents are advised to monitor the Monterey County Sheriff's Office channels and local emergency services for the latest sheltering information and interactive zone maps.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• A 40-mile stretch of Highway 1 is currently closed between the unincorporated area of Gorda and Captain Cooper Elementary School in Big Sur.
• Caltrans urges drivers to avoid all unnecessary travel in the area and to use U.S. 101 as an alternate route to allow firefighters and heavy equipment room to work safely.

For more information on evacuations and closures, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Overview
• Monterey County Sheriff's Office Official Updates
• Caltrans QuickMap for Road Closures

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are currently no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Plaskett Fire.
Structures Impacted: While official numbers of damaged or destroyed structures have not been determined, structure defense remains a primary operational priority. Ground crews are actively developing and executing structure-defense plans, preparing structures, and deploying heavy equipment to create defensible space in critical areas where the fire threatens to advance, particularly near Highway 1 and the Pacific Valley Station.
School and Business Closures: The 40-mile Highway 1 closure is severely impacting local travel and access to areas including Captain Cooper Elementary School.
Notable Impacts: The fire is burning in the rugged, remote terrain of the Los Padres National Forest and is directly threatening the scenic Highway 1 corridor.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No widespread power outages have been officially reported yet, but residents should remain prepared for potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) or fire-related infrastructure damage.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported at this time, though residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Standard fire restrictions and burn bans are strictly enforced across the Los Padres National Forest and Monterey County due to extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke from the rapidly growing fire is impacting air quality in the region. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers if possible.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire remains at 0% containment. Firefighters anticipate challenging conditions over the coming days. Crews are focusing on increasing containment line depth, improving access, and securing areas where fire activity could challenge established features. Heavy helicopters will continue targeted structure defense to slow fire progression and reduce intensity near critical infrastructure.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning has been in effect for the region. Fire activity is expected to remain elevated due to rapidly changing weather, including erratic winds and potential thunderstorms that could trigger spot fires outside the main perimeter. Furthermore, the local Big Sur micro-climate is complicating firefighting efforts, as relative humidity can drop at night, causing the fire to grow rapidly during overnight hours.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The official cause of the Plaskett Fire is currently under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme fire weather is playing a major role in the fire's rapid expansion. The blaze has been fueled by Red Flag weather conditions, characterized by erratic winds, dry vegetation, and poor overnight humidity recoveries. The region's rugged terrain and unique coastal micro-climate exacerbate these conditions, allowing the fire to make significant runs and severely complicating suppression efforts.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incident Updates
• Monterey County Office of Emergency Services
• US Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest