Timber

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Timber Fire ignited on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at approximately 8:35 p.m. in the Big Sur area of Monterey County, southeast of Loma Vista.
Size and Containment: As of August 29, 2026, at 6:45 a.m., the fire has burned 24,408 acres and is 21% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially starting at around 400 acres, the fire has grown rapidly, surging by thousands of acres over the last 72 hours. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain within the Los Padres National Forest. It is being driven by strong, erratic winds and a localized micro-climate where relative humidity drops at night, fueling rapid overnight fire growth.
Containment Efforts: California Complex Incident Management Team 3 is operating in unified command with CAL FIRE, the Los Padres National Forest, and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department. Over 1,788 personnel, 14 helicopters, and 90 fire engines are assigned to the incident. Crews are utilizing heavy equipment to build dozer lines, handlines, and leveraging ridgelines to create robust primary control features. Air operations include Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters alongside day-and-night drone operations.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Evacuation orders currently impact approximately 600 residents. Zones