Environment & Climate

Two wildfires trigger evacuations and Highway 1 closures along California's Big Sur coast

Firefighters are contending with two blazes in Monterey County as Pacific tropical storm remnants heighten fire risks across the region.

Updated Aug 28, 2026 · 04:25 UTC2 reports

The short version

Fire crews and aircraft are fighting two separate wildfires along the Big Sur coast in Monterey County, California.
The newly erupted Plaskett Fire has zero containment, prompting evacuation orders for several isolated properties and brief closures of Highway 1.
Forty miles north, the Timber Fire has burned nearly 31 square miles since August 8, with firefighters using back-burning operations to protect populated areas.
Weather conditions remain hazardous across California due to gusty winds and lightning risks linked to tropical storm remnants.

The Plaskett Fire started in steep terrain in Monterey County near Highway 1, causing brief closures of the coastal route.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for a handful of isolated properties near the Plaskett Fire.[Associated Press · ABC News]
The Timber Fire, located about 40 miles north of the Plaskett Fire, has burned nearly 31 square miles since August 8 and is over 20% contained.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Fire crews conducted controlled back-burning operations near the Timber Fire to prevent the blaze from reaching populated areas.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Remnants of a Pacific tropical storm have elevated fire danger across much of California by introducing gusty winds and lightning risks.[Associated Press · ABC News]

The cause of the Plaskett Fire remains unknown and under investigation.[Associated Press · ABC News]