Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders are in effect in Big Sur as firefighters conduct backburning operations to control the Timber Fire, with Highway 1 closed near Andrew Molera State Park since 1 p.m. Thursday.
"We prefer to do the burning in a controlled manner where it's actually out in the wilderness, and for us to prevent it from coming into, like the cities and or these areas where there are residents," said Josh Dinkle, Battalion Chief for the Corona Fire Department.
Residents are being asked to stay indoors due to heavy smoke and ash from the backburning operation, which is extending down to Highway 1.
"We want people to try to stay indoors because there's going to be a lot of smoke, a lot of ash. We don't want people breathing that in. So because the fire, the backburning operation is going to go all the way down to Highway 1," said Brandon Smith, Commander for the Monterey County Sherriff's Office.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office stated that residents can leave the area if necessary but urged them to avoid traveling back and forth through the affected zones.
"Try not to move around. We have a lot of fire traffic going back and forth, and I want to make sure that those resources can get to either the backburning operation or if, God forbid, something goes wrong. Those units can get to where they need to go," said Smith.
Authorities are also monitoring the fire’s potential movement eastward.
Residents in the Tassajara and Cachagua areas are being asked to prepare for possible evacuation.
"Check the evacuation orders and warnings for everybody. We always recommend that they follow the orders and warnings to get out ahead of time. We never want people to be in a rush to get out. We want them to do it in a safe manner," said Dinkle.
Crews are focused on completing the backburning operation safely to protect the area and restore normalcy.
"The sooner we can get this backburning operation done. That's going to create enough black lined up to the north that hopefully we can get Big Sur back in business and get it moving," said Smith.
Caltrans will determine when it is safe to reopen Highway 1.
Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders are in effect in Big Sur as firefighters conduct backburning operations to control the Timber Fire, with Highway 1 closed near Andrew Molera State Park since 1 p.m. Thursday.
"We prefer to do the burning in a controlled manner where it's actually out in the wilderness, and for us to prevent it from coming into, like the cities and or these areas where there are residents," said Josh Dinkle, Battalion Chief for the Corona Fire Department.
Residents are being asked to stay indoors due to heavy smoke and ash from the backburning operation, which is extending down to Highway 1.
"We want people to try to stay indoors because there's going to be a lot of smoke, a lot of ash. We don't want people breathing that in. So because the fire, the backburning operation is going to go all the way down to Highway 1," said Brandon Smith, Commander for the Monterey County Sherriff's Office.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office stated that residents can leave the area if necessary but urged them to avoid traveling back and forth through the affected zones.
"Try not to move around. We have a lot of fire traffic going back and forth, and I want to make sure that those resources can get to either the backburning operation or if, God forbid, something goes wrong. Those units can get to where they need to go," said Smith.
Authorities are also monitoring the fire’s potential movement eastward.
Residents in the Tassajara and Cachagua areas are being asked to prepare for possible evacuation.
"Check the evacuation orders and warnings for everybody. We always recommend that they follow the orders and warnings to get out ahead of time. We never want people to be in a rush to get out. We want them to do it in a safe manner," said Dinkle.
Crews are focused on completing the backburning operation safely to protect the area and restore normalcy.
"The sooner we can get this backburning operation done. That's going to create enough black lined up to the north that hopefully we can get Big Sur back in business and get it moving," said Smith.
Caltrans will determine when it is safe to reopen Highway 1.
