Overview
- The longer-running Timber Fire has grown to about 24,800–24,900 acres and was roughly 21% contained in the latest updates, with crews strengthening lines around Manuel Peak and patrolling hot spots.
- The newer Plaskett Fire exploded in size and reached about 8,241 acres with essentially zero containment as firefighters raced to protect homes and stop the blaze from crossing Highway 1.
- Authorities extended a hard closure of Highway 1 to cover nearly 54 miles between the Little Sur River and south of Salmon Creek to support firefighting and evacuations, forcing park and business shutdowns and rerouting travelers to Highway 101.
- More than a thousand firefighters and hundreds of engines, helicopters, airtankers, dozers and hand crews have been assigned, using planned burning, aerial drops, night helicopters and structure-defense tactics to hold lines in terrain with limited ground access.
- Mandatory evacuation orders, evacuation warnings and shelter-in-place directives affect many Monterey County zones, with about 661 structures reported threatened and local leaders seeking an emergency declaration as forecasters warn of erratic winds, drying fuels and El Niño conditions that could worsen behavior.