Overview
- Timber Fire has burned about 25,000 acres and is roughly 22–23% contained, and Monterey County will downgrade several evacuation orders to warnings with changes taking effect Thursday at 6 a.m.
- Caltrans will reopen Highway 1 between post mile 56 and post mile 45 at 6 a.m. Thursday but through travel remains blocked and the southern corridor stays closed because of the Plaskett Fire.
- The Plaskett Fire has expanded to about 29,000 acres with roughly 1% containment and is burning in steep, decades-old fuels that are driving rapid growth and threatening areas including Fort Hunter Liggett.
- Crews have relied on U.S. Forest Service firing operations, aircraft, dozers and Caltrans slope clearing to secure the Highway 1 corridor, and officials say road and containment gains could be reversed if conditions change.
- Big Sur parks remain closed, shelters are open in Carmel and Cambria, local businesses continue to be hit by lost tourism, and officials urge people to avoid nonessential travel and be ready to evacuate on short notice.