New wildfire sparks evacuations along California's Big Sur coast

BIG SUR, Calif. -- Fire crews with water-dropping aircraft attacked a small wildfire that prompted new evacuations Thursday along California's remote Big Sur coast, where a much larger blaze has been burning for nearly three weeks.

The Plaskett Fire erupted the previous day in steep terrain in Monterey County near Highway 1. Officials briefly closed a portion of the scenic coastal route Thursday afternoon as firefighters scrambled to keep the flames from running through canyons.

A handful of isolated properties were under evacuation orders and warnings. The fire had no containment so far, and its cause was under investigation.

About 40 miles (60 kilometers) to the north, officials closed another section of the highway where the Timber Fire has been active since Aug. 8. Crews performed back-burning operations, deliberately setting fire to brush to keep the bigger blaze from advancing toward populated areas of Big Sur.

The larger fire was nearly 31 square miles (80 square kilometers), with more than 20% containment.

Fire danger is high in much of California due to an increased risk of lightning and gusty winds from the remnants of a tropical storm in the Pacific.