By admin 
Containment on the Plaskett Fire increased by Thursday morning, while the Timber Fire didn’t budge, according to Cal Fire.
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By Thursday, the two fires scorching the Big Sur coast were collectively burning almost 60,000 acres.
A portion of Highway 1 reopened north of Big Sur on Wednesday as containment on the Plaskett Fire improved, and emergency responders were considering reopening the rest of the highway next week, Plaskett Fire operations section chief Nick Cleary said during the morning update.
The highway remained closed from mile marker 10.5 near the Willow Springs Caltrans Yard, just north of Gorda, to Kirk Creek Campground at mile marker 19.
As of Thursday morning, the Plaskett Fire was 73% contained at 29,918 acres, according to Cal Fire.
“Fire activity has moderated; however, critically dry fuels remain capable of supporting additional fire activity,” the Cal Fire incident update said. “Resources continue patrol, mop-up and reinforcement of established control features. Steep, rugged terrain and limited access continue to impact suppression operations.”
On the Highway 1 side of the blaze, “everything’s looking really good,” Cleary said.
Meanwhile, the Timber Fire was only 27% contained at 25,380 acres after burning for more than a month, Cal Fire said.
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“Timber Fire remains active with isolated heat sources continuing to hold in steep, difficult-to-access terrain,” the incident update said.
Fire crews continued to fight the northwestern part of the blaze, which posed the greatest threat to life and property.
“The majority of the western perimeter along Highway 1 remains in mop-up and patrol status,” Cal Fire said. “Resources continue strengthening and improving established handlines, dozer lines and hoselays.”
In Monterey County, 28 zones were under evacuation orders, while 47 zones were under an evacuation warning between both fires.
An evacuation shelter was available at Santa Rosa Catholic Church on 1174 Main St in Cambria.
This story was originally published September 10, 2026 at 10:33 AM with the headline “Containment keeps improving on one fire in Big Sur — but not the other. Why?.”
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