Cal Fire reports 19,300-acre Timber Fire, Highway 1 to close for backburning
The Timber Fire in Monterey County has expanded to nearly 19,300 acres and is 21% contained; Highway 1 will close Thursday for backburning, and several evacuation zones have been upgraded.
The Timber Fire in Monterey County has grown to 19,296 acres, a 17.9% increase since Tuesday, and is 21% contained, according to Cal Fire. The blaze, which began on Aug. 8 southeast of Loma Vista, has pushed into the Ventana Wilderness, crossing Ventana Creek and spreading through the Lion Creek and Big Sur River drainages.
Highway 1 will be closed at 1 p.m. Thursday between Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn and Andrew Molera State Park for U.S. Forest Service backburning operations near the highway and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Caltrans will assess and clear hazards before reopening the road.
Effective Thursday at 1 p.m., evacuation orders have been upgraded for zones MRY-F022, MRY-F023-A and MRY-F025, while warnings apply to zones MRY-F018 and MRY-F019. Shelter-in-place orders cover zones MRY-F021-A, MRY-F021-B, MRY-F024, MRY-F026, MRY-F027-A and others. Residents in these areas are advised to remain self-sufficient for up to seven days, avoid travel on closed roads, and leave before the closure if they cannot do so.
Cal Fire reports the fire threatens 661 structures and has deployed 1,228 personnel, including 87 engines, 30 hand crews, 14 helicopters, 13 dozers and 20 water tenders. Ground crews have contained a spot fire that breached a control line, and infrared-equipped drones continue to monitor the fire. Long-range spotting of up to two miles has been observed.
Weather conditions remain critical, with relative humidity below 30% for a tenth consecutive day and temperatures near 80°F. A marine layer is expected to clear around 10 a.m., followed by possible downdrafts and wind gusts up to 25 mph between 1 and 4 p.m. Slightly higher humidity and cooler temperatures are forecast for Thursday night, which may provide some relief.
The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center remains under evacuation order; it has canceled the remainder of its guest season and begun evacuating students due to smoke and deteriorating air quality. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.