Timber

Evacuation orders remain active as crews secure the Big Sur corridor

The Timber Fire is burning east of the Big Sur coastline and into the rugged Ventana Wilderness, with active spread along Little Sur Ridge and toward inland ridges. Over the last 72 hours, ground crews engaged in direct attack on the southern perimeter, mopped up hot spots near Pfeiffer Camp, and secured a slop-over near Manuel Peak. The fire continues to threaten communities, wilderness areas, and critical infrastructure along the Highway 1 corridor.

Evacuations and Closures

• September 1: Mandatory Evacuation Orders remain in effect for Monterey County zones MRY-D082, MRY-D089, MRY-D090, MRY-D091, MRY-F015-A, MRY-F015-B, MRY-F015-C, MRY-F016, MRY-F017, MRY-F020, MRY-F022, MRY-F023-A, MRY-F023-B, MRY-F025, MRY-F028-B, MRY-F028-C, MRY-F029, and MRY-F031-A.
• September 1: Precautionary evacuations were completed for residents and students at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.
• September 1: Shelter-in-place orders remain in effect for Monterey County zones MRY-F018, MRY-F019, MRY-F021-A, MRY-F021-B, MRY-F024, MRY-F026, and MRY-F027-A.
• September 1: Emergency evacuation shelters are open at Carmel Middle School, the Carmel Mission Inn in Carmel, and the Cambria Veterans Memorial Building.
• September 1: Highway 1 is closed to through traffic in Big Sur between mile marker 56 south of the Little Sur River and mile marker 45 near the Big Sur Deli and Post Office.
• September 1: Los Padres National Forest closure order prohibits public entry across the Monterey Ranger District.
• September 1: California State Parks has closed Point Sur State Historic Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Impact

Wildfire smoke continues to degrade air quality across Big Sur, Cambria, Morro Bay, and Paso Robles. Firefighters wrapped the historic John Pfeiffer cabin in protective material on September 2 to shield it from radiant heat and embers as crews protect infrastructure along Highway 1.

Conditions and Outlook

Cool conditions and coastal fog with west-northwest breezes will bring temporary relief before slight warming, drying, and shifting northerly winds develop toward the weekend, with virtually no chance of rain. Moderate fire behavior including flanking and uphill runs is expected to persist across steep inland terrain and dry ridge tops. Suppression crews plan to tie together primary handlines and contingency dozer lines while using aircraft to check spread and protect infrastructure along the Highway 1 corridor.

Cause and Context

The cause of the Timber Fire remains under investigation by authorities as of September 1, 2026. The fire is burning through the scar of the 2016 Soberanes Fire, where young regrowth and dead fuels create resistance to control in steep wilderness terrain.

Resources

• InciWeb Timber Fire Information
• Ready Monterey County Emergency Updates
• CAL FIRE Timber Fire Incident Page
• Los Padres National Forest Closures

Official updates current through September 2, 2026.