Map from Sept. 3 shows the Plaskett Fire outlined in red and the Timber Fire in purple. To see an updated map of the fires go to: www.app.watchduty.org/i/117569.Map courtesy watchduty.com
As wildfires rage through the mountains along Hwy 1 in Big Sur, Caltrans has lifted one roadblock but left the second in place in support of firefighting efforts.
“As of 6 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3,” reads a traffic alert update from Caltrans, “the northern closure of Highway 1 in support of Timber Fire operations will be lifted.”
The Timber Fire is raging through the mountains starting just south of the Little Sur River (post marker 45) to just south of the Big Sur Post Office.
Unfortunately for folks heading north from San Luis Obispo County, the road is blocked at the Monterey County Line.
“The southern closure supporting Plaskett Fire emergency response along Highway 1,” Caltrans said, “remains in place from Pacific Valley at Post Mile 16 to Post Mile 0.0 at the Monterey/San Luis Obispo County line.”
Caltrans’ electronic message boards planted along Hwy 1 starting south of Cambria, will keep travelers updated on the status of the road closures.
“Avoid any unnecessary travel through the area, Caltrans advised. “Drivers should use U.S. 101 as an alternate route.”
According to the Cal Fire website, the Plaskett Fire started at 11 a.m. Aug. 26 in the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County.
As of Sept. 4, it had burned over 29,000 aces and was 19% contained. It appears on maps to be spreading southeast. The Timber Fire looks to be spreading more to the northeast.
Cal Fire has issued evacuation orders for residents of the area and set up shelters at the Carmel Mission and Carmel Veterans Memorial Building.
The SLO County Air Pollution Control District has issued air advisories for the North Coast and North County warning of moderately poor air quality. That means anyone unusually sensitive to smoke should limit their time outdoors.
The smell of smoke has been somewhat light, and smoky skies have made for spectacular sunsets the past several days.
There have also been news reports of a light dusting of ash falling as far away as Santa Maria. Readers should probably regularly dust off their vehicles if you leave them parked outside overnight.
According to Cal Fire, the Timber Fire started at 8:36 a.m. Aug. 8, also in the Los Padres National Forest. As of Sept. 4, it had burned over 25,000 acres and was 23% contained.
The causes of these fires have not been announced. There also have been no reports of injuries from the blazes.
Road information updates can be found on Caltrans’ Dist. 5 Social Media platforms: on Twitter at: @CaltransD5; Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5); and on Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
Caltrans added, “We want to thank the community and the public for their patience while we continue to support the emergency fire operations.”
