Timber Fire in Big Sur Burns 1,700 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

A fast-growing wildfire in Big Sur, California, has burned more than 1,700 acres and prompted expanded evacuation orders, threatening iconic coastal destinations and forcing visitors to flee the rugged region. The Timber Fire, which ignited in the Los Padres National Forest on Saturday night, has rapidly expanded amid challenging terrain and erratic winds, according to officials.

The blaze began at approximately 9:30 p.m. on August 8 in a remote area of grass and brush southeast of the Loma Vista neighborhood. By Sunday afternoon, it had grown to 180 acres, and by Sunday night, it reached 400 acres. The fire continued its rapid expansion overnight, doubling to 800 acres by Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, it had more than quadrupled in size from that estimate, surpassing 1,700 acres.

Evacuation orders were issued late Sunday night for zones MRYF026 and MRYF027, which include the luxury Ventana Inn, the beloved clifftop restaurant Nepenthe, and the Henry Miller Memorial Library. Those orders were expanded on Monday as the fire grew. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office also issued evacuation warnings for three additional zones to the north and south. An evacuation shelter was...