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. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
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 hectares), 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.
Fire scale and evacuation
The sudden growth of the Plaskett fire has intensified evacuation warnings from local authorities. Residents have been advised to move to safer areas. According to firefighters, aerial forces are trying to limit the spread, but the difficult terrain hampers efforts.
Timber fire situation
The Timber fire still covers a large area, with containment at 21%. Efforts to extinguish it continue. Night smoke and cloud cover prevented precise mapping of the blaze.
Road closures
Partial closures of Highway 1 due to the two fires are causing inconvenience for drivers. This road is a vital transport corridor along California's coast.
Fire prevention and suppression measures continue. Local authorities are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of residents.