Big Sur wildfire doubles to 5,900 acres, forcing evacuations
California’s Plaskett Fire doubled in size to more than 5,900 acres by August 28, forcing evacuations and restricting Highway 1 as difficult terrain hampered crews.
In short
- California’s Plaskett Fire doubled in size to more than 5,900 acres by August 28, forcing evacuations and restricting Highway 1 as difficult terrain hampered crews.
A wildfire in California’s Big Sur region doubled in size overnight and forced nearby residents to evacuate as crews struggled to reach flames burning across steep, remote terrain.
The Plaskett Fire had burned more than 5,900 acres (about 2,400 hectares) in Monterey County by Friday, August 28, and remained at zero containment, according to Cal Fire figures cited by The Guardian. The fire began on Tuesday, August 25, and its cause remained under investigation.
Authorities deployed helicopters and air tankers for targeted water drops, while limited roads and rugged terrain restricted access for firefighters on the ground. The blaze also prompted a partial closure of Highway 1 through Big Sur, the coastal route linking the Los Angeles and San Francisco regions.
A separate wildfire farther north, the Timber Fire, had burned more than 24,000 acres and was 21 percent contained. Officials said it had crossed some containment lines, while smoke and cloud cover interfered with overnight mapping of its spread.
