Timber Fire grows to 2,478 acres, threatens 259 structures in Big Sur

The Timber Fire has grown to 2,989 acres in Monterey County and remains 5% contained Tuesday night as firefighters work to protect more than 500 threatened structures in the Big Sur area. CAL FIRE reported 503 structures threatened in its 7:16 p.m. update, up from 259 earlier Tuesday. No structures have been reported damaged or destroyed. The number of personnel assigned to the fire has also nearly doubled since Tuesday morning, with 904 firefighters and other personnel now assigned to the incident. Resources include 36 engines, 26 hand crews, seven dozers, six helicopters and six water tenders. Air tankers from across California are also supporting suppression efforts as conditions allow. Firefighters continue to build containment lines along the Highway 1 corridor, where officials said the fire is moving at a slow rate of spread and burning primarily along the ground through grass, brush and oak woodland. The fire has not moved into the treetops. Ground crews are working to access difficult terrain while aircraft drop water and retardant on active areas to slow the fire's growth. A major focus remains protecting nearby homes and preventing the fire from crossing Highway 1. Fire officials said conditions overnight will vary depending on elevation. Areas above 1,800 feet are expected to remain above the inversion layer, where drier conditions could allow the fire to remain active. Lower elevations, including areas along the Highway 1 corridor, are expected to see cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Officials are urging residents and drivers to watch for increased emergency vehicle traffic along Highway 1 and stay clear of active firefighting areas. The cause of the Timber Fire remains under investigation. Evacuation orders and warnings Evacuation orders remain in effect for zones MRY-F023, MRY-F025, MRY-F026, MRY-F027 and part of MRY-F028 A. The evacuation order includes the Ventana Inn. Evacuation warnings remain in effect for zones MRY-F021-A, MYR-FO22, MRY-F024 and MRY-F028 B. An evacuation order means people should leave the affected area because of an immediate threat to life and property. Officials are urging residents in evacuation order zones to take their families, pets, and emergency supply kits, and to consider bringing essential documents and records. People in evacuation warning zones should prepare to leave in case an evacuation order follows. Officials recommend packing a go-bag, gathering essential items and making arrangements for pets and large animals. People who need additional time or assistance to evacuate should also prepare now. Residents can find the latest evacuation information through Alert Monterey County at alertmry.org/alerts. Timber Fire grows to nearly 3,000 acres The Timber Fire has continued to grow since it started over the weekend. CAL FIRE reported the fire at 180 acres Sunday before it grew to 400 acres Sunday evening, doubled to 800 acres by Monday morning and reached 1,723 acres Monday afternoon. By Tuesday morning, the fire had reached 2,000 acres. It is now, as of Tuesday afternoon, at 2,989 acres. Containment remains at 5%. The U.S. Forest Service, which is the lead agency on the fire, said the Timber Fire started around 9:38 p.m. Saturday. The fire is burning southeast of Loma Vista in the Los Padres National Forest. Firefighters have faced steep, rugged terrain that has made accessing the fire and carrying out suppression efforts difficult. "The fire is burning in steep, rugged, and difficult terrain, which continues to hamper firefighter access and suppression efforts," the U.S. Forest Service said Monday morning. Fire officials said Monday night that the fire was moving at a slow rate of spread and burning primarily along the ground through grass, brush and oak woodland. Officials said it had not moved into the treetops. Ground crews are working to build containment lines and gain access to difficult terrain while aircraft support firefighters with water and retardant drops. Protecting nearby homes and preventing the fire from crossing Highway 1 remain major priorities for crews. The cause of the Timber Fire remains under investigation. Highway 1 closed in Big Sur amid Timber Fire Highway 1 is now closed to the public in part of the Big Sur area Tuesday due to the continued spread of the Timber Fire and ongoing evacuations, according to the California Highway Patrol. The highway is closed on the north side at 47200 Highway 1, near Fernwood Resort, and on the south side at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point near mile marker 37. This an approximately 10-mile stretch of road. CHP is asking drivers to avoid the area and follow all evacuation orders and instructions from emergency personnel. Drivers should use caution and leave roads clear for first responders, emergency personnel and evacuees. Officials said additional updates will be provided as conditions change. Evacuation resources consolidated at Carmel Middle School The County of Monterey said the Temporary Evacuation Point for people affected by the Timber Fire will move to Carmel Middle School at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The Temporary Evacuation Point will be co-located with the evacuation shelter already operating at the school, giving evacuees one location to receive incident information, resource referrals and assistance coordinating their next steps. Carmel Middle School is located at 4380 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel. The county opened the evacuation shelter Monday in collaboration with the American Red Cross for people displaced by the Timber Fire. Evacuees have access to food, drinking water, cots, blankets and comfort kits. American Red Cross and Monterey County shelter personnel are available to assist. The SPCA for Monterey County is also assisting evacuees with pets. Residents evacuating with animals are encouraged to bring their pets, along with pet food, medications, leashes, carriers and other essential supplies when possible. The shelter is expected to remain open until evacuation orders associated with the Timber Fire are lifted and residents can safely return home. Discounted Hotel Rates for Timber Fire Evacuees Hotels and lodging properties in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties are offering special evacuation rates for residents and visitors displaced by the fire. A list of participating properties and their contact information is available on the Community Connections page.