Timber, Los Padres NF, USFS. CIMT (Cal Fire Team 1). Four miles southeast of Big Sur, CA. Grass, timber and chaparral. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, torching and spotting. Numerous residences and critical infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, road and trail closures in effect.
August 12, 2026 at 6:42 AM
The Timber Fire acreage has increased to 3,150. The fire stayed active in the higher elevations above the fog line. It grew up steep hillsides, ignited individual trees, and slowly crept downhill.
Firefighters continue working to build containment line on the Timber Fire along the Highway 1 corridor. The fire is moving at a slow rate of spread, burning primarily along the ground through grass, brush, and oak woodland. It has not moved into the treetops. Ground crews are working to access difficult terrain while aircraft support them from above by dropping water and retardant on active areas to slow the fire’s growth.
A major focus of the response is protecting nearby homes and preventing the fire from crossing Highway 1. Safety remains the highest priority as commanders adjust their strategy to changing weather and terrain. Residents and drivers are asked to stay alert for increased emergency vehicle traffic along Highway 1 and to keep clear of active firefighting areas. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
August 11, 2026 at 10:04 PM
The Timber Fire continued to back down towards structures in Ventana today, as well as toward structures along Grimes and Stoney Ridges as it spread south towards Partington Road. Firefighters remain actively engaged in structure defense this evening, and they will remain there overnight. Aircraft, including the DC10, was used heavily after the inversion lifted midday to assist firefighters on the ground in these areas.
Small up slope runs and single tree torching continued today, especially on the northern part of the fire and in the brush fields in the higher elevations.
While the goal is to keep the overall footprint of the Timber Fire as small as possible, resources currently on scene are focusing now on structure defense on the west side of the fire. As additional resources arrive, they will engage on the less accessible eastern edge.
WEATHER:
Tonight’s weather is expected to be cool and cloudy at the coast, with a small chance of drizzle. Areas above approximately 1200-1500 feet are expected to remain clear and dry with light winds.
CLOSURES:
Highway 1 remains closed between Fernwood Resort (north side at 47200 Highway 1) and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point (south side).
EVACUATION ORDERS:
MRY-F023
MRY-F025
MRY-F026
MRY-F027
MRY-F028-A
EVACUATION WARNINGS:
MRY-F021-B
MRY-F022
MRY-F024
MRY-F028-B
MRY-F029
August 11, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Fire growth is expected in east and southeast direction. If the fire becomes established in the Longwood creek drainage high potential for slope reversal and fire growth to the east into the wilderness. Branch 50 is priority number 1 for the incident, and Branch 20 is priority number 2 for incident.
Overnight, the northern and eastern portions of the fire remained active, burning primarily above the marine layer. Firefighters observed single tree torching and upslope runs. The fire continues to hold on the east side of Highway 1.
Firefighters continued to protect structures primarily near Highway 1 in the Ventana area. They cleared brush and other potential threats around property, set up water systems, and secured access for firefighters and firefighting apparatus. The heavy marine layer prevented night flying helicopters by limiting visibility to dip sites located below the marine layer. Crews are actively working to establish a water dip site above the inversion layer today.
WEATHER: Early to mid-week, warmer and dryer conditions are expected over the eastern portions of the fire. There is a 15% chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening.
EVACUATION ORDERS:
• MRY-F025
• MRY-F026
• MRY-F027
• MRY-F028-A
EVACUATION WARNINGS:
• MRY-F024
• MRY-F028-B
• MRY-FO23
Fire is burning in the Sobranes Fire scar from 2016. Grass and brush fuel type on the western slopes with a timber understory on the eastern slopes.