New Big Sur wildfire forces evacuations and closes a stretch of Highway 1

In Big Sur, a new wildfire known as the Plaskett Fire broke out on Forest Road 23S10 east of Los Burros Road, having consumed roughly 140 acres by Thursday morning, according to CalFire. The blaze triggered an immediate evacuation order for zone MRY-F036 and precautionary warnings for zones MRY-F035 and MRY-F037, forcing at least 28 residents to leave their homes. In response, the California Highway Patrol will shut down a segment of Highway 1 from one mile south of Old Coast Road (Mile Marker 50.1) to half a mile south of Deetjens Big Sur Inn (Mile Marker 42.6), with the duration of the closure yet to be determined.

Fire suppression efforts involve six helicopters, some of which are sourcing water directly from the ocean, and aircraft dropping water and retardant. The fire is situated about three miles inland from Highway 1 and Willow Creek, while the nearby Timber Fire continues to burn over 19,000 acres since August 9. The cause of the Plaskett Fire remains under investigation.