Monterey County leaders asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare an emergency to bring more resources to the firefight. Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels said the designation would help access additional support for crews battling the uncontained wildfire.

"That would help us get more resources to this fire," Daniels said. "I think, in my opinion, it qualifies as an emergency. I think an emergency should be declared." Daniels has previously called for emergency declarations during the 2020 Creek Fire, which impacted the region and required substantial firefighting resources.

Officials advised anyone needing extra time to evacuate, along with people with pets or livestock, to leave immediately. At least one structure was destroyed in the Plaskett Fire, which firefighters identified as an outbuilding. Cal Fire reported that eight structures were under threat from the fire on Wednesday afternoon.

The Plaskett Fire was reported on Wednesday, August 25, 2026, near Gorda, as part of a series of wildfires impacting the Big Sur region in Monterey County. The fire began around 11 a.m. on Wednesday east of Los Burros Road near the community of Plaskett. It burned approximately 40 acres by early afternoon on Wednesday with 0% containment before growing to 100 acres by 2:15 p.m.

The Plaskett Fire remained 0% contained after growing more than 2,000 acres from Saturday morning. Hotter, drier weather and afternoon winds fueled the blaze, which is burning in steep, difficult-to-access terrain on federal land under the jurisdiction of Los Padres National Forest. Officials prepared for winds to shift northeast overnight as the fire remained active Saturday around Jade Cove.

Cal Fire fire behavior analyst Dan Lerma identified the fire's eastern region as the biggest area of concern for responders due to increasing wind. The Plaskett Fire was working down the south fork area of Willow Creek. Crews strengthened fire lines near South Coast Road and checked a roughly 2-acre area where flames crossed a fire line.

Firefighters focused on protecting homes along Plaskett Ridge Road and Los Burros Road. They cleared brush, prepared buildings, laid hose, and positioned engines near homes. Crews burned vegetation between the main fire and homes and cooled hot spots along the fire’s edge. Helicopters and air tankers dropped water when conditions allowed, and eight air tankers were requested to assist with retardant drops.

A helibase was established for the response, and Hotshot crews worked to reach the fire's edge while ground crews and heavy equipment worked to establish containment lines. The Cal Fire Tulare Charlie Strike Team assisted with evacuations and prepared homes for structure defense. The cause of the Plaskett Fire remained under investigation, and officials had not reported any injuries as of Wednesday.

Highway 1 was shut down for nearly 54 miles, from south of the Little Sur River at Mile Marker 56 to south of Salmon Creek at Mile Marker 2.1. The southern closure point was moved from Mile Marker 10.1 near Gorda to Mile Marker 2.1, extending the shutdown by about 8 miles. Highway 1 will remain closed until further notice. Pfeiffer Beach and Sycamore Canyon Road remained open as of about 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Los Padres National Forest announced an emergency area closure Saturday, closing all National Forest System lands, trails and roads within the area to the public. An evacuation warning was issued for Plaskett and the area of the Plaskett Creek Campsite on Wednesday. An evacuation order was issued on Wednesday for a zone south and east of Plaskett, including a section of coast near Willow Creek Beach and San Martin Rock, affecting around 30 residents.

The Plaskett Fire initially burned north-northwest, crossed a drainage, and moved up the south side of a mountain following a slope reversal. Traffic controls were in place on Highway 1 on Wednesday as crews cleared rock debris from Timber Fire operations, with periodic traffic holds of 10 to 15 minutes for drivers.

The Timber Fire, which erupted on August 8, grew to nearly 25,000 acres as of early Saturday evening. It burned 24,601 acres as of Saturday afternoon, having grown by 5,000 acres in two days. The Timber Fire had burned 17,817 acres and was 23% contained as of Wednesday morning, and was 25% contained on Monday. Nearly 1,800 firefighters continued working on the Timber Fire as of Wednesday.

Why It Matters

The rapid expansion of the Plaskett Fire to over 8,200 acres with zero containment shows the challenges posed by steep terrain and favorable weather conditions in the Big Sur region. The request for a state emergency declaration reflects the strain on local resources and the need for additional state-level support to protect structures and manage evacuations in affected zones.

The concurrent activity of the Timber Fire, which has burned nearly 25,000 acres, indicates a broader pattern of wildfire activity in Monterey County requiring substantial coordination among multiple agencies. The closure of Highway 1 and National Forest lands disrupts travel and access to the region, while evacuation orders for multiple zones reflect the immediate threat to residents and property in the path of the flames.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms the Plaskett Fire was reported on Wednesday, August 25, 2026, near Gorda, as part of a series of wildfires impacting the Big Sur region in Monterey County. The fire was initially reported at approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25, east of Los Burros Road near the community of Plaskett, according to CAL FIRE.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for zone MRY-F037 and an evacuation warning for zones MRY-F038 and MRY-F039 on Saturday. The Plaskett Fire reached 8,241 acres with 0% containment as of Saturday afternoon. The United States Army Garrison – Fort Hunter Liggett issued an evacuation order for zone MRY-G012-A and an evacuation warning for zones MRY-G011-A and MRY-G012-B on Saturday at around 3 p.m.

The Timber Fire burned 24,601 acres as of Saturday afternoon. The Plaskett Fire began around 11 a.m. on Wednesday east of Los Burros Road near the community of Plaskett. The Plaskett Fire burned approximately 40 acres by early afternoon on Wednesday with 0% containment.