Overview
- U.S. Forest Service crews spotted at least one unauthorized drone over the Timber Fire on Wednesday, which prompted officials to ground at least three helicopters while law enforcement and the FAA search for operators.
- Forecasters have issued a heat advisory calling for triple‑digit temperatures and low humidity that incident spokespeople say could increase fire activity and boost smoke across nearby communities.
- More than 2,500 firefighters are assigned to the Timber and Plaskett incidents, three firefighters have been injured so far, and crews are managing dehydration risks with extra water and evacuation plans.
- Containment has diverged between the fires with the Plaskett roughly 73–75% contained at about 29,918 acres and the Timber about 27% contained at roughly 25,380 acres, leaving the Timber more vulnerable to renewed growth.
- Heavy, decades‑old fuels in remote Ventana Wilderness make air support essential for safe suppression, so grounded aircraft and limited tanker/helicopter availability could slow containment and extend smoke impacts unless weather or resources change.