Evacuations ordered as Timber fire threatens California’s Big Sur
The Timber fire grew to about 2,000 acres by August 11, prompting evacuations and road restrictions along California’s Big Sur coast as nearly 500 personnel worked the blaze.
In short
- The Timber fire grew to about 2,000 acres by August 11, prompting evacuations and road restrictions along California’s Big Sur coast as nearly 500 personnel worked the blaze.
Authorities ordered evacuations along California’s Big Sur coast as the Timber fire expanded to about 2,000 acres by the morning of Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Nearly 500 firefighters and other personnel were assigned to the blaze in Los Padres National Forest, according to information attributed to Cal Fire. The fire threatened 259 buildings and was reported at 5% containment as crews worked to establish lines near the Highway 1 corridor.
Evacuation areas included well-known visitor sites such as the Nepenthe restaurant, Henry Miller Memorial Library and Alila Ventana resort, as well as state parks. Part of the Pacific Coast Highway was closed to non-residents, and officials asked visitors to stay away from the area.
Fire crews faced steep, difficult terrain. Officials said the fire was moving relatively slowly through grass, brush and oak woodland and had not reached the tree canopy. Their priorities included protecting homes and preventing the blaze from crossing the coastal highway.
The fire began over the weekend, and its cause remained under investigation as of August 11. The emergency was unfolding during a broader period of intense wildfire activity across western North America, including evacuations elsewhere in the western United States and Canada.
