Plaskett Fire

Plaskett, Los Padres NF, USFS. CIMT (CA Team 6). CIMT is also managing the Timber incident. Thirty-four miles southwest of Big Sur, CA. Chaparral, grass and timber. Minimal fire behavior with creeping. Area and trail closures in effect.

September 23, 2026 at 9:35 AM Suppression repair continues on the Plaskett Fire as firefighters work to reduce impacts from previous suppression activities. Repair work is ongoing on the north side of the fire and along the coast. Engine crews remain in the area conducting patrol and monitoring for any remaining heat or changes in fire conditions.

Weather:
Temperatures are expected to increase by approximately 5 to 10 degrees tomorrow, with winds generally coming from the west to southwest. The warmer temperatures may contribute to some drying of fuels across the fire area.

September 17, 2026 at 5:11 PM No additional fire spread is expected outside the established control lines; interior pockets will continue to burn, producing visible smoke. Secured portions of the incident will continue transitioning to suppression, repair, and recovery operations, including grading and reconditioning road systems impacted by fire operations. 

Highway 1 remains open, and motorists should use caution and watch for firefighters still working in the area. 

Weather:
Slightly warmer conditions are expected, reaching highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s with a slight decrease in relative humidity. Ridgetop winds will be northerly through the day with typical diurnal winds at lower elevations. Anticipate mild afternoon wind gusts of 10-15 MPH with no significant wind issues expected. Energy release component values and ignition probabilities are dropping and will keep decreasing through the week. 

Evacuations:

All evacuation orders for Monterey County have been lifted.

September 13, 2026 at 7:21 AM Planned actions:
Continue to secure established control lines and monitor the fire perimeter for residual heat or fire activity that could threaten containment. Utilize unmanned aerial systems and infrared mapping where appropriate to identify heat sources and prioritize mop-up and patrol needs. Conduct mop-up and patrol where operationally necessary and safe to do so.

Continue transitioning secured portions of the incident to suppression repair and recovery operations. Scout road systems impacted by suppression activities and prioritize remaining repair needs. Restore drainage, stabilize disturbed areas, and repair roads and control features in coordination with Resource Advisors and in accordance with the Fire Suppression Repair Plan.

Coordinate the reopening of Highway 1 with CAIMT7, Caltrans, CHP, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, and resources operating from the Pacific Valley FOB to safely restore public access while maintaining firefighter safety, emergency response capability, and operational access along affected road systems.

Continue consolidating divisions, operational staffing, and incident support functions as objectives are achieved. Release excess resources to higher-priority incidents or return them to their home units while maintaining sufficient capability for patrol, monitoring, initial attack, and response to calls for service.

September 12, 2026 at 7:49 AM Despite the elevated fire environment, fire perimeter is not expected to grow.

The southern closure of Highway 1 has moved north approximately one mile as Caltrans crews work alongside first responders to ensure a safe roadway for the traveling public. The southern closure has moved to Los Burros Rd. (PM 11.1) while the northern closure remains at Kirk Creek Campground.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is DOWNGRADING the Evacuation Order previously issued for Zones MRY-F037-B and MRY-F038-B to an Evacuation Warning. All previously issued Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Warnings remain in effect.

September 11, 2026 at 7:38 AM

Observed fire behavior consists of minimal, backing, creeping, smoldering. Despite the elevated fire environment, fire perimeter is not expected to grow. The fire is expected to consume unburned islands while antecedent heat persists. Fire behavior within these unburned islands may include smoldering, creeping, flanking, backing.

Temperatures about 10 degrees above normal on Friday will be near to slightly above normal through the weekend. Humidity will remain lower than normal with much of the area 20-30% during the day and limited overnight recovery, between 25-40%, through the weekend. Winds will remain terrain driven with north to northwest winds 7-10 mph across the ridgetops.

Plaskett Fire Monterey County Evacuation Update

Zones FHL-G026 & FHL-G019 have been DOWNGRADED to Evacuation Warnings.

The following zones have had their evacuations LIFTED:

FHL-G004, FHL-G005, FHL-G008, FHL-G009, FHL-G016, FHL-G016B, FHL-G020, FHL-G021, FHL-G022, FHL-G024, FHL-G025, FHL-G027, FHL-G028, FHL-G029

September 9, 2026 at 7:59 AM The fire continues to spread when making upslope runs; backing fire spread is minimal. The continuing helitorch firing operations in DIV GG are highly successful. The warming and drying weather is making fuels more readily available. Isolated areas of heat and smoke production interior continue on the western end of the fire near Hwy 1 as well as the northern and eastern ends.

September 7, 2026 at 11:08 AM The Plaskett fire containment increased to 37%, up six percent from yesterday morning. Helicopters delivered water to cool and knock down hotspots, assisting firefighters on the ground. A helitorch burned out a section of steep terrain, removing fine fuels that would otherwise be a receptive fuel bed with the upcoming hot and dry weather. Heavy equipment widened control lines, while firefighters continued building control and contingency lines along the eastern border ahead of warmer and drier conditions expected this week. Overnight, crews monitored interior smoke and heat and bolstered line security.

Today, firefighters on the eastern side of the fire will continue working toward each other from the north and south, with the goal of connecting containment lines. As other portions of the fire become more secure, crews are removing hose and beginning suppression repair on the western side. If conditions remain favorable, firefighters expect to complete burnout operations on the northern side today. The Plaskett Fire remains under a full suppression strategy, with firefighter and public safety continuing to guide all operations.

A weak thermal trough will move toward the coast today and Tuesday, bringing light easterly winds. This event will pair with several days of temperatures above normal with humidity around 20% in some areas.

September 5, 2026 at 7:54 AM Yesterday, firefighters leveraged favorable weather conditions and moderate fire behavior to make continued progress, increasing containment to 23%. Crews constructed and strengthened control lines, secured areas where firing operations occurred, and used direct attack where terrain and conditions allowed. Strategic firing operations were used to strengthen control lines and create defensible space around threatened structures and critical values. Several Type 1 helicopters supported crews on the ground by using a Mobile Retardant Base to slow the fire’s progression, which allowed firefighters to engage the fire directly. Helicopters also conducted targeted water drops on hotspots to help extinguish active fire and reinforce ground efforts. Type 3 helicopters conducted reconnaissance flights to gather intelligence and support strategic decision-making. Overnight, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) supported firefighters with aerial ignition operations on the southern side of the fire, helping to strengthen control lines and improve operational effectiveness. 

Today, crews will build on yesterday’s progress along the southwest flank by tying handline into existing containment features and beginning mop-up in the area. On the northern edge, firefighters will conduct firing operations to address an island of unburnt fuel. To the northeast, control lines are still holding fire that had spread beyond the previously established line earlier in the week. Along the eastern side, crews will continue preparing strategic contingency lines with masticators while fire managers evaluate options to construct dozer lines and conduct direct attack with retardant on the southeast flank. Steep terrain, limited access, and heavy fuels remain challenging, and firefighters are working to strengthen and secure containment features ahead of an expected warming and drying trend next week. The incident continues to receive additional resources and is now supported by two forward operating bases located near active fire operations.

September 3, 2026 at 8:52 AM Planned Actions: Conduct firing operations to keep up with the main fire and to create defensible space for structures. Direct an aggressive attack where possible. Continue establishing control lines where topography and fire behavior permit. Utilize fixed and rotary wing aircraft where appropriate to aid firefighters with their direct suppression efforts. Continue to reinforce contingency lines. Continue with backfire and burnout operations to keep up with fire spread.

The Plaskett Fire is expected to remain active on all flanks. Highway 1 will continue to be impacted. Crews will be conducting burnout operations from Prewitt drainage to Plaskett. The fire is burning north of San Miguel Creek and west into Anthony Creek, as well as southwest into Los Burros Creek drainages. There is continued progression down the Alder Creek drainage to the south of the fire.

September 2, 2026 at 4:42 PM

The observed fire behavior during the reported period was primarily active, with noticeable spread and flame intensity. The fire displayed flanking behavior, moving laterally along its edges, and also exhibited backing tendencies, advancing gradually against the wind.

Firefighters made good progress during last night’s shift across much of the fire perimeter. Existing lines are holding in the Northern portion of the fire, and moderating weather conditions are allowing crews to implement direct suppression tactics where terrain and conditions allow. The Eastern portion of the fire remains the primary area of concern. This area has not experienced significant fire in more than 50 years, creating challenging conditions for firefighters. Firefighters will continue evaluating opportunities to safely access this area and construct viable containment lines to reduce the potential for additional fire spread.

Today, firefighters will continue working to build on yesterday’s progress, with resources concentrated in areas offering the best opportunities for direct containment. Crews will also maintain structure protection and reinforce contingency lines should conditions change. Highway 1 remains closed through the affected area, and evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect in portions of Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties.

September 1, 2026 at 8:01 AM The Plaskett Fire showed continued aggressive growth throughout the day and now sits at 26,734 acres and 1% contained.

The growth was primarily along the eastern perimeter as the fire continues to push deeper into Fort Hunter Liggett in areas that have not seen fire in more than 50 years. Steep terrain and thick fuels remain the primary driver of fire behavior.

Crews made great progress along the northern edge of the Plaskett using strategic firing operations to help check the fire’s progress along the Slick Rock road system from San Miguel Creek east to Slickrock Creek.

Aerial resources were in heavy use along the southern edge to help slow the fire’s progress along Los Burros Road as firefighters continued structure defense operations.

Tonight’s operations will be a continuation of structure defense and protection measures with plans in place to hold the fire in the Willow Creek drainage to the south.

WEATHER: An early season trough of low pressure will bring unseasonably cool temperatures and higher humidity airmass over the Timber and Plaskett  Fire tomorrow. This will be one of the coolest days since the fire started with highs mainly in the 60s and struggling to warm into the 70s, even for interior portions of the fire. General winds will continue to be onshore and from the West with gusts to around 15 mph for the exposed ridges along the Coast Ridge Trail. Lower elevations below 2000 feet will continue to see good humidity values that will help with mop-up operations. The air aloft should be cool enough to erode the marine inversion layer with cooler temperatures for the highest elevations above 3000 feet. Skies will be partly cloudy tonight as a weak frontal boundary passes through. The front may generate some very light showers or drizzle overnight into Wednesday morning, especially around Big Sur and the Pfeiffer Camp but amounts would be a few hundredths at most. 

August 31, 2026 at 9:23 AM

The Plaskett Fire has burned about 15,479 acres and is only 1% contained. It grew fast, nearly doubling in size during the last operational period. It’s burning in steep, rugged terrain with thick vegetation, which makes it hard for ground crews to reach. The fire has been pushing toward Highway 1 and moving east into the interior, and there’s ongoing concern it could keep spreading south. Crews on the ground are focused on defending structures, building new containment lines, and reinforcing roads, ridgelines, and other natural barriers that can help stop the fire. Aircraft continue to assist with suppression whenever conditions allow.

For residents in the area, several evacuation zones have seen changes: zone MRY-F037 was upgraded from a Warning to a full Evacuation Order, and a new Evacuation Order was issued for MRY-G012-A. Evacuation Warnings are now in effect for zones MRY-F038, MRY-F039, MRY-G011-A, and MRY-G012-B. San Luis Obispo County also issued its first Evacuation Warnings tied to this fire, for zones SLC-001, SLC-002, and SLC-003 — marking the first time protective actions have extended into that county. The incident is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (CIIMT 3).

Highway 1 is closed in this area too, from mile marker 16.0 (just north of the Pacific Valley Ranger Station) on the north end down to mile marker 2.1 (just south of Salmon Creek) on the south end.