Timber Fire passes 19,000 acres in Big Sur as Highway 1 closure planned
The Timber Fire has grown to 19,296 acres and is 21% contained in Monterey County as of Wednesday evening, according to CAL FIRE.
That is an increase of 2,928 acres, or approximately 17.9%, from the 16,368 acres reported Tuesday night.
Fire activity remains moderate, and no perimeter movement is anticipated west of Coast Ridge Road.
Highway 1 closure planned
Highway 1 is scheduled to close Thursday at 1 p.m. between Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn and Andrew Molera State Park.
The closure is connected to U.S. Forest Service backburning operations planned near Highway 1 and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park beginning Thursday or Friday.
Caltrans will evaluate and clear potential hazards before reopening the road.
Evacuation changes
The following evacuation changes will take effect Thursday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m. Residents should check the map for their specific evacuation zone.
The following zones will be upgraded to evacuation orders:
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Evacuation warnings will be issued for:
The following zones will be placed under shelter-in-place orders:
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A shelter-in-place order is a temporary protective measure intended to allow active firefighting and backburning operations. It does not mean the wildfire is no longer dangerous.
Residents who remain in evacuation order or shelter-in-place areas will have restricted access because of the areas’ proximity to Highway 1.
Residents who stay should be prepared to:
Sustain themselves for up to seven days.Have enough food, water, medications, generator fuel and other essential supplies.Stay off the roadways and not attempt to travel through or return to closed areas.Leave before 1 p.m. Thursday if they cannot remain self-sufficient for seven days.
According to CAL FIRE’s evacuation map, current orders remain in effect for:
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Current evacuation warnings are in effect for:
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On the northwest side, the fire has crossed Ventana Creek and continues moving uphill through the Lion Creek drainage toward Ventana Double Cone and the upper Carmel River basin.
As the fire advances northwest, it is expected to begin backing downhill into the Little Sur drainage, where it should spread more slowly.
Farther east, the fire continues spreading north and east near the North and South Forks of the Big Sur River and through the South Fork drainage.
Around Pico Blanco Camp, crews are improving secondary lines, clearing vegetation and preparing structures. Crews are also building control lines from Bottcher Gap and Kincannon Road toward Los Padres Dam while protecting sensitive cultural resources.
Near Memorial Campground and Arroyo Seco Indians Road, firefighters are reopening dozer lines, scouting additional control lines and safety zones, improving access, establishing water supplies and preparing structures.
Crews will continue improving Coast Ridge Road as a control feature and conduct strategic firing operations as conditions allow.
Weather conditions
Warmer, drier conditions are expected Wednesday, with temperatures approaching 90 degrees and humidity falling into the single digits.
Smoke may reduce visibility through the morning. Around 1 to 2 p.m., heating at the surface is expected to draw stronger, drier air down toward the fireline, which could increase fire behavior.
Southwest winds may gust into the midteens, and poor humidity recovery is expected overnight.
Additional information
The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center remains within an evacuation order area. The center canceled the remainder of its guest season and began evacuating students because of smoke and worsening air quality.
The fire is threatening 661 structures. CAL FIRE reports 1,788 personnel assigned to the incident, along with 90 engines, 34 hand crews, 14 helicopters, 15 dozers and 15 water tenders.
The fire started Aug. 8 southeast of Loma Vista. Its cause remains under investigation.