Fire in California’s Big Sur region doubles in size overnight, forcing evacuations

Plaskett fire has swept through more than 5,900 acres in Monterey county and remains un-contained, says Cal Fire

A fire in California’s Big Sur region doubled in size overnight, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents, in a coastal region where firefighters have battled another blaze for weeks.

The Plaskett fire, which sparked on Tuesday, had swept through more than 5,900 acres (2,400 hectares) in Monterey county as of Friday, and remained un-contained, according to Cal Fire. Its cause is under investigation.

Fire authorities have deployed helicopters and air tankers to suppress the flames with targeted water drops, but the remote area’s steep terrain and scarce roads have hindered ground crews’ ability to access the fire.

Meanwhile, to the north, the Timber fire continues to burn through more than 24,000 acres (9,700 acres), as authorities have it under 21% containment. The blaze broke past certain containment lines. Smoke from the fire and cloud cover prevented officials from mapping the fire’s expansion overnight.

Both fires have prompted partial closures of Highway 1, whose Big Sur stretch offers a scenic route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.