Big Sur, California

The Plaskett Fire has burned through steep terrain along California’s Big Sur coast, briefly forcing the closure of part of Highway 1 as firefighters worked to prevent flames from moving through surrounding canyons.

The fire began on Wednesday in Monterey County, according to reporting from the Associated Press. By Thursday afternoon, officials had shut a section of the scenic coastal route while crews focused on limiting the fire’s movement across the rugged landscape.

Big Sur’s topography can make containment difficult: steep slopes, dry brush and narrow access routes can complicate work for ground crews while also increasing the importance of road closures and structure protection.

No new casualty or damage total was included in the initial AP photo report. Parrhesia News will update this story when fire authorities publish verified information on containment, evacuation orders, acreage and any damage assessment.