Two wildfires burning in California’s Big Sur region have burned more than 50,000 acres, officials said, as the fast-moving Plaskett Fire has now overtaken the Timber Fire in size.
According to Cal Fire, the fires are the two largest burning in the state as of Tuesday. The combined acreage burned is more than 78 square miles, an area larger than the city of Oakland.
“Aggressive Growth” on Plaskett Fire
Cal Fire officials said the Plaskett Fire burning in far southern Monterey County burned 26,734 acres as of 9:10 p.m. Monday, up from 15,479 acres on Monday morning and 8,241 acres on Sunday morning. Containment remains at 1%.
“The Plaskett Fire showed continued aggressive growth today, primarily along the eastern perimeter as the fire pushes deeper into Fort Hunter Liggett, into areas that have not burned in more than 50 years. Steep terrain and heavy fuels remain the primary drivers of fire behavior,” officials said in a statement…