Timber Fire Overview
The Timber Fire, located near Timber Top Camp, is a vegetation fire that began on August 8, 2026. The fire is currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, with support from Big Sur Fire, CAL FIRE, and other responding agencies.
As with most wildfires, the Incident Command System and agency assignments may evolve as the incident develops.
Websites & Information Sources
- InciWeb — The U.S. Forest Service, as the Incident Commander, will provide official incident updates here. At this early stage, the Timber Fire has not yet appeared on the site. Please check back for updates.
- CAL FIRE Currently Active Incidents — Incident information and updates.
- Watch Duty — Real-time wildfire and emergency information.
- Fire Adapted Big Sur Emergency Information Hub — A one-stop resource for Watch Duty and social media updates from Big Sur Fire, Mid-Coast Fire, CAL FIRE, and the Community Association of Big Sur.
- Big Sur Kate — A thoughtful and well-informed local perspective on events affecting our community.
- CAL FIRE Wildfire Action Plan — Guidance on preparing for wildfire and evacuation.
Mobile App
- Watch Duty — Provides real-time disaster information, including wildfire activity, evacuation information, and other emergency updates.
Emergency Alert Notifications
- Alert Monterey County — Provides critical public safety information by phone call, text message, and email.
Thank You to Our First Responders
A sincere thank you to the U.S. Forest Service, Big Sur Fire, Mid-Coast Fire, CAL FIRE, California State Parks, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, CERT, and all of the other agencies, organizations, and individuals working to keep the Big Sur community safe.
Please stay informed, stay prepared, and look out for one another.
A message from your Fire Chief regarding the Timber Fire
Dear Beloved Big Sur Residents and Friends,
Big Sur and its residents are no stranger to fire. We have faced many over the years and have always been strong and resilient as a community to overcome the challenges associated with them. Over the past several weeks, the Pacific Northwest has been facing massive impacts due to wildfire and drawing down Federal and even our own State resources to help. All is well until we need them for our own community. Well here we are. As you read this, the Timber Fire is over 800 acres and burning in some of the steepest slopes of our beautiful coast. This means that it is extremely challenging terrain for firefighters to safely attack the fire. While we would prefer to attack the fire directly, which we have been doing where we can and will continue to do, we need to consider an indirect approach and construct containment lines that give us the best chance to hold the fire while also protecting life and property.
Big Sur Fire was first on scene of the Timber Fire with engines, water tenders and all of our firefighters. Crews worked all through the night to try and contain the fire but due to roll out and limited resources, it became obvious that the Timber Fire would become an extended incident.
Big Sur has always been in focus when a fire starts and this time is no different however, we are seeing unprecedented need across the western U.S. for the exact same resources which leaves fewer for us when we need them. Crews are inbound from all over the country to help us and this takes time.
Today, a U.S. Forest Service Incident Management Team will be mobilized and assume command of the Timber Fire starting this evening. I have been involved in the process from the start and outlined our community priorities clearly. They are committed to success and supporting us. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the U.S.F.S. and information about that will only be released by them.
Big Sur Fire is very involved supplying our hand crew and firefighters with local knowledge, engines and water tenders and continues to collaborate at the management level ensuring our community priorities are heard and addressed. Current fire conditions, evacuation warnings and orders will be updated by the Incident Management Team and will be released as they become available by the Public Information Team.
We all must remain patient with each other and the process. We need to plan ahead as best as possible for evacuations both north and south of the fire. We also need to remain tight as a community as we have done so many times before.Thank you all for your continued support and trust of Big Sur Fire.
Sincerely,
Matt Harris
Fire Chief
