"The Plaskett fire’s explosive growth—over 29,800 acres in just 12 days—combined with the deployment of more than 2,200 personnel and an estimated cost exceeding $23 million, highlights its significant threat to the region’s natural resources and communities."
The Plaskett wildfire, located 34 miles southwest of Big Sur in Monterey County, California, was first discovered on August 26, 2026. The U.S. Forest Service is the jurisdictional agency, and the cause remains undetermined. The fire grew rapidly from 100 acres on the day of discovery to nearly 30,000 acres by September 7, 2026, with containment remaining at 37% as of the latest update. Personnel deployed increased from 55 on August 28 to 2,211 on September 7, reflecting the escalating effort to control the blaze. Fire behavior has shifted from active uphill runs and torching to moderate flanking and backing operations as containment improved.
Official source description: 34 Miles SW from Big Sur, CA
Moderate; Uphill Runs; Flanking; Backing
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Nearest reporting station: King City. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
Given the current moderate fire behavior and 37% containment, residents in the vicinity should remain vigilant, follow any local evacuation orders, and stay informed through official channels.
IRWIN ID: {C257FBA6-F90E-431F-9464-067E8FBF79D7}
Discovered: Aug 26, 2026
Cause: Undetermined
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $32,518,393
Coordinates: 35.9057, -121.4125
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in CA.
The Plaskett Fire has burned 29,862 acres as of September 8, 2026.
As of the latest update, the Plaskett Fire is 47% contained.
The official cause has been listed as: Undetermined.
The Plaskett Fire is burning in Monterey, CA.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Plaskett Fire remains active.
Real-time map, acreage, and containment for every major U.S. wildfire, updated from official NIFC data.
View Live Map →