Chapelle News

Timber Fire Swells Past 12,600 Acres in Monterey County as CAL FIRE Expands Evacuation Orders and Warnings Around Big Sur and Los Padres

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — The Timber Fire has grown to 12,616 acres in Monterey County and remained 25% contained Sunday evening, according to CAL FIRE. The wildfire continued to burn into Los Padres National Forest, with increased activity to the north near Ventana Cone and fire activity still reported to the east along the rim of Logwood Ridge.

CAL FIRE said an intelligence flight on Sunday confirmed more acreage. The agency said critically low fuel moisture, warmer temperatures, low relative humidity and terrain-driven fire behavior all contributed to the expansion. Officials also reported 661 structures threatened as of Sunday evening.

Responders Strengthen Lines

CAL FIRE said crews were working Sunday to strengthen contingency lines north and south of the fire. The agency said there was very limited fire activity on the coastal side and no heat detected Sunday on the northwestern side of the Big Sur River, where firefighters continued building control features.

Fire activity increased toward Ventana Cone, where the blaze was slowly backing down drainages. To the east, CAL FIRE said the fire remained active within the rim of Logwood Ridge, but there were no major runs farther east. Aircraft continued to support firefighters, and crews were preparing for possible firing operations along Coast Ridge Road.

Evacuations Expand Near Coast

Evacuation orders and warnings were modified Sunday and now cover a large section of the forest east of Big Sur Village. Orders are in place for several zones, including MRY-F015-C, MRY-D082, MRY-D090, MRY-D089, MRY-D091, MRY-F031-A and MRY-F028-B. Warnings now include additional zones such as MRY-F015-B, MRY-D078, MRY-D084, MRY-D085, MRY-D086, MRY-D088, MRY-F031-B, MRY-F030-A, MRY-F030-B, MRY-F032-A and MRY-F032-B.

The warning area also includes a stretch of Highway 1 from the Big Creek Reserve Gate Cabin north to Andrew Molera State Park, a distance of more than 40 miles. Highway 1 remains open, but some portions are inside warning areas. Drivers are being urged to use caution or consider alternate routes.

Next Steps For Crews

The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center is now inside an evacuation order area. In a Facebook post, the center said it had canceled the rest of its guest season and started evacuating students. The center also said smoke from the fire was affecting air quality in the valley.

CAL FIRE said the blaze started Aug. 8 southeast of Loma Vista and that its cause remains under investigation. The agency said fire activity was expected to continue Sunday night because overnight humidity recovery was poor and conditions remained warm and dry. Updates on evacuation zones, containment and operational changes are being posted by CAL FIRE.

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