By admin Evacuation orders and warnings were reinstated after the Timber Fire exploded by another 3,400 acres on Tuesday.
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After limited overnight activity on the Timber Fire decreased evacuation urgency for multiple zones, the fire grew to 15,998 acres in Big Sur by Tuesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. It remained only 26% contained, and evacuation urgency was reinstated in all zones.
Evacuation orders are now in effect for nine zones where the fire poses an “immediate threat to life,” and warnings are in place in 21 zones.
The northern and eastern portions of the Timber Fire merged over the weekend, increasing acreage in the Ventana Wilderness, but from Monday night to Tuesday morning, fire activity remained relatively quiet, Cal Fire said.
By 9:20 p.m. Monday, the northern portion of the fire around Island Mountain had made moderate runs to the east and was backing toward Ventana Creek, resulting in visible smoke throughout the day. The fire was moving up the canyon in the Lion Creek drainage toward Ventana Cone.
On Monday, fire crews continued to strengthen and reinforce containment and contingency lines to the north and south of the fire while dozers and hand crews strengthened control features to the northeast, According to Cal Fire. Containment lines held on the coastal side of the fire.
Tuesday’s daytime operations continued the work established overnight, primarily focusing on securing incomplete handlines and holding established control features, according to the agency’s incident update.
Air operations conducted an uncrewed flight in the northwest portion of the fire overnight while flames continued backing down toward Logwood Creek, the incident update said.
Ongoing air operations are fully supported by two uncrewed flight modules for the day and night and a fleet of 13 helicopters.
In the Coast Ridge area, crews maintained their positions, monitored fire activity and utilized water tenders along Coast Ridge Road and Highway 1, with resources dispersed throughout the operational footprint.
A handline remained incomplete in the Pine Ridge area and crews were focusing on tying in those remaining sections Tuesday.
The incident update warned that field personnel should prepare for “critical fire weather” Tuesday as conditions approach “Red Flag Warning” criteria, with upper elevations expected to drop into single-digit relative humidity.
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Very hot and dry conditions are expected over the next several days, likely resulting in increased fire behavior and activity, Cal Fire said Monday night.
Timber Fire Operations Section Trainee Neil Gamboa gave an update on Tuesday’s operations at around noon, focusing on opening key roads, reinforcing existing fire lines and preparing for possible firing operations to slow the fire’s spread.
Crews in multiple divisions are tasked with maintaining secure footholds, mopping up hot spots, patrolling for new activity and responding to service calls, while mechanized equipment is working along Indians Road near Draw Point Five to keep the fire within the Ventana Wilderness boundary, Gamboa said.
Where are the evacuation orders in place?
On Tuesday, nine zones remained closed to public access and under “leave now” evacuation orders:
- MRY-D082
- MRY-D089
- MRY-D090
- MRY-D091
- MRY-F015-C
- MRY-F028-B
- MRY-F028-C
- MRY-F029
- MRY-F031-A
Twenty-one other zones were under evacuation warnings with a “potential threat to life.” Those who require additional time to evacuate or have pets and livestock are advised to leave now:
- MRY-D078
- MRY-D084
- MRY-D085
- MRY-D086
- MRY-D088
- MRY-F015-B
- MRY-F021-B
- MRY-F022
- MRY-F023
- MRY-F024
- MRY-F025
- MRY-F026
- MRY-F027-A
- MRY-F027-B
- MRY-F028-A
- MRY-F028-D
- MRY-F030-A
- MRY-F030-B
- MRY-F031-B
- MRY-F032-A
- MRY-F032-B
Smoke from Timber Fire affects SLO County
Moderate smoke impacts from the Timber Fire near Big Sur were expected to impact areas in North County on Monday, according to the county’s Air Pollution Control District.
The northern interior portion of San Luis Obispo County, particularly in and around Atascadero, experienced moderate smoke impacts on Monday morning, according to the district.
Smoke was expected to clear during the day Monday then return overnight into the early morning Tuesday.
Atascadero’s air quality index was at a 66 on Monday morning, according to the district’s air quality index. It had dropped to 22 by Tuesday morning.
This story was originally published August 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM with the headline “Timber Fire evacuation zones grow as Big Sur blaze reaches 16,000 acres.”
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