Big Sur wildfire jumps to 1,300 acres as new evacuations ordered

LATEST Aug. 10, 12:55 p.m.The Timber Fire in Big Sur is spreading rapidly, scorching at least 1,300 acres, according to the latest update from Cal Fire. The fire increased more than 50% since around 6 a.m. this morning, according to aircraft sensors.

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Three areas are under evacuation orders near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. A summary of zones under evacuation orders and warnings can be found at the Genasys map. Containment for the fire remained at 5%. 

Aug. 10, 11:25 a.m.The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued a new evacuation order for the area south of the Timber Fire in Big Sur along the Central Coast. The fire is currently reported to be 800 acres with 5% containment.

In a release, the sheriff’s office warned residents to leave the area immediately due to the ongoing risk. The areas under evacuation order include parts of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Highway 1. Notable businesses in the heart of Big Sur evacuated over the past 24 hours include the Henry Miller Library and Nepenthe.

The Timber Fire spread rapidly overnight, doubling from 400 acres. The Los Padres National Forest is leading the response, along with assistance from Cal Fire.

Video taken by deputies from the Montery County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday evening showed the flames along the hills lighting up the night sky. No injuries or deaths have been reported due to the fire. 

Currently, the luxury Alila Ventana Big Sur resort remains essentially shut down after staff and guests were evacuated. Sebastian Gurevich, general manager for the resort where a one-night stay can cost thousands, said all guests were evacuated and moved to hotel properties in Carmel and Monterey as of Monday morning.

“Resort operations will remain suspended while the Evacuation Order is in effect,” Gurevich said in the statement sent to SFGATE. “We remain in close communication with local emergency authorities and will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow their guidance.”

Hotel guests who want to inquire about an upcoming stay can call Hyatt’s Global Care Center at 800-233-1234.

Aug. 10, 8:44 a.m.A wildfire spreading near Big Sur doubled in size overnight, reaching 800 acres on Monday morning, according to Cal Fire. The Timber Fire ignited on Sunday morning in Monterey County southeast of Loma Vista and is 5% contained as of 6:30 a.m.

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On Sunday evening around 8 p.m., the Los Padres National Forest said in a news release that the fire was burning in “steep, rugged terrain” and firefighters had observed an increase in fire behavior.

“The fire is in a remote location with difficult access. Containment efforts continue to be hampered due to the terrain and access conditions,” the Facebook post said.

An evacuation order was issued shortly before 11 p.m. for areas near the fire, including parts of Highway 1 and the luxury Alila Ventana Big Sur resort near Post Creek. 

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office warned residents to “LEAVE NOW!” due to the risk, saying the order was issued “due to an immediate threat to life and property from an emergency incident.”

Areas under evacuation warning include parts of the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Full information on the areas under evacuation order and warnings can be found on the Genasys map.

The fire response is being led by the Los Padres National Forest. No injuries or deaths have been reported in the blaze and the cause remains under investigation.

A ridge of high pressure in the desert southwest has led to a heat dome, causing hot and dry weather for much of Central and Southern California in recent days, increasing the risk of fire danger. A number of fires have popped up in recent weeks, with more than 4,300 wildfires reported in California so far this year. About 228,390 acres have been burned by fires this year and one death has been reported.