Timber

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect as crews secure coastal lines

The Timber Fire is burning southeast of Big Sur in steep, rugged coastal terrain in Monterey County. Over the last 72 hours, fire activity has moderated to creeping, backing, and smoldering in interior timber while crews patrol perimeters, construct fuel breaks, and clear roadside debris. Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings remain active for surrounding areas as firefighters work to secure containment lines.

Evacuations and Closures

• Mandatory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for Monterey County zones MRY-D082, MRY-D090, MRY-F015-A, MRY-F015-B, MRY-F015-C, MRY-F020, MRY-F023-B, MRY-F028-B, MRY-F028-C, and MRY-F029 (as of September 22).
• Evacuation Warnings remain active for Monterey County zones MRY-D078, MRY-D084, MRY-D085, MRY-D086, MRY-D088, MRY-D089, MRY-D091, MRY-F014, MRY-F023-A, MRY-F025, MRY-F028-A, MRY-F028-D, MRY-F030-B, MRY-F031-A, MRY-F031-B, and MRY-F032-B (as of September 22).
• Los Padres National Forest area closure is in effect for Forest Service lands surrounding the fire area (as of September 23).
• Highway 1 is open, with travelers advised to use caution due to active emergency personnel and heavy equipment along the roadway (as of September 23).

Impact

Smoke continues to affect air quality across Monterey County, with regional air authorities actively monitoring particulate levels. Rehabilitating California condors were safely released from a local sanctuary ahead of the fire on September 20, and unauthorized drone activity temporarily forced aerial firefighting operations to divert near Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on September 22.

Conditions and Outlook

Winds are forecast to shift from southerly to north-northeasterly over the coming days with light breezes, improving humidity recoveries, and no rain. Minimal fire behavior such as creeping and smoldering is expected to persist, though fuels above the coastal marine layer remain dry. Firefighters plan to utilize uncrewed aircraft infrared scans to find interior heat in remote backcountry drainages and engage directly where terrain allows.

Cause and Context

The cause of the fire remains under investigation as of September 23. The burn area is entirely within the 2008 Basin Fire scar and largely overlaps the 2016 Soberanes Fire scar.

Official updates current through September 23, 2026.