Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The relocation of a Highway 1 closure near Big Sur has allowed businesses to reopen and workers to return after a 12-day disruption caused by the Timber Fire.
On Wednesday, crews moved the closure half a mile south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point. This change has enabled businesses like Nepenthe’s to reopen, with Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn planning to resume breakfast service this Saturday.
“It was about 12 days. No work for myself, and it felt like way longer just because I love the routine and the rhythm and the dynamic and the company culture that we do have here. So being without it suddenly felt like a part of myself was on pause,” one worker said.
Another worker shared their gratitude, saying, “We can return to work, we can get back to our jobs, and we can safely, you know, feel secure with everything going on, you know, and being back. I mean, I’m just grateful.”
The reopening has brought relief to the Big Sur community, which faced uncertainty about when it would be safe to reopen more of the roadway and businesses.
The question now is when the remaining road closure will be lifted. While there is currently no timeline, many in the area remain optimistic as firefighters continue to make progress on the western flank of the fire.
The relocation of a Highway 1 closure near Big Sur has allowed businesses to reopen and workers to return after a 12-day disruption caused by the Timber Fire.
On Wednesday, crews moved the closure half a mile south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point. This change has enabled businesses like Nepenthe’s to reopen, with Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn planning to resume breakfast service this Saturday.
“It was about 12 days. No work for myself, and it felt like way longer just because I love the routine and the rhythm and the dynamic and the company culture that we do have here. So being without it suddenly felt like a part of myself was on pause,” one worker said.
Another worker shared their gratitude, saying, “We can return to work, we can get back to our jobs, and we can safely, you know, feel secure with everything going on, you know, and being back. I mean, I’m just grateful.”
The reopening has brought relief to the Big Sur community, which faced uncertainty about when it would be safe to reopen more of the roadway and businesses.
The question now is when the remaining road closure will be lifted. While there is currently no timeline, many in the area remain optimistic as firefighters continue to make progress on the western flank of the fire.
