Firefighters battling California’s largest active wildfire have made gradual progress, with containment of the Plaskett Fire increasing to 23% as crews continue working across Monterey County.

The wildfire, burning in the Big Sur area, had covered approximately 29,768 acres by Friday evening. That figure was slightly higher than the previous day’s total, when the fire had affected about 29,476 acres and was only 19% contained.

The blaze was first reported on August 26 near Forest Road, east of Los Burros Road in the Plaskett area. Since then, firefighters have been working to prevent the flames from spreading farther through rugged terrain and forested areas.

The increase in containment indicates that crews have been able to establish additional control lines around portions of the fire. However, a large percentage of the wildfire remains outside containment, meaning firefighting operations are continuing.

The fire’s location in the Big Sur region presents additional challenges for emergency crews because of the area’s mountainous terrain and limited access. Weather conditions, vegetation and wind can also influence the speed and direction of wildfire growth.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while firefighting resources remain focused on containing the blaze and protecting nearby communities and natural areas.

Residents and visitors in areas potentially affected by the wildfire are being urged to follow official evacuation and safety instructions. Conditions can change quickly during an active wildfire, particularly when winds increase.

The latest containment figure offers some positive movement for firefighters, but the size of the blaze means the response is expected to continue for some time.