The Timber Fire burning on the Big Sur Coast will cause moderate air quality through the weekend for Santa Barbara County. 

The wildfire that started Aug. 8 has now burned more than 23,300 acres, according to Los Padres National Forest officials.

Then on Wednesday, the Plaskett Fire started about 30 miles south of that blaze and has burned 1,700 acres. 

The Air Pollution Control District said Friday that all of Santa Barbara County’s particulate matter air quality is forecast to be yellow (moderate) until Monday due to smoke from the Timber Fire. 

The district recommends that people unusually sensitive to particle pollution consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outside, and to watch for coughing or shortness of breath as “signs to take it easier.” 

Air quality conditions and forecasts are available on the APCD website.

The EPA’s AirNow Fire and Smoke Map is available here.  

Caltrans announced Thursday evening that it closed a 40-mile stretch of Highway 1 in Big Sur due to Timber Fire and the Plaskett Fire operations. The closure is in effect between Gorda and Captain Cooper Elementary. 

As of Friday, the Timber Fire was 21% contained and the Plaskett Fire was 0% contained, according to Los Padres National Forest officials. The U.S. Forest Service has jurisdiction over both blazes.

Santa Barbara County had an extreme heat warning, heat advisory and red flag warning in effect through Friday evening due to a week-long heat wave.

There was also a lingering chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Starting Sunday, temperatures were expected to drop across the region, bringing daytime highs back to the 60s and 70s for many communities.

Check the latest weather forecasts and updates from the National Weather Service here.