Timber Fire passes 4,500 acres, threatens 503 structures in Big Sur

Key Points:

• The Timber Fire in Monterey County has expanded to 4,545 acres with 7% containment as of Thursday morning, marking a 44.3% growth since Wednesday. Over 1,800 personnel, including engines, hand crews, dozers, and helicopters, are actively engaged in suppression and containment efforts.
• Firefighters have completed containment lines on the southern edge and are working to secure the fire near Pine Ridge Trail and Olmstead Mountain, with cooler, wetter conditions expected along the coast aiding firefighting efforts. No structures have been reported destroyed or damaged, and no injuries or fatalities have occurred.
• Evacuation orders remain in effect for several Monterey County zones, with warnings in others; residents are urged to prepare for potential evacuation and monitor updates via Alert Monterey County. Highway 1 remains closed in the Big Sur area to facilitate emergency response and evacuations.
• A community meeting is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. at the Big Sur River Inn to provide updates and answer questions about the Timber Fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
• Evacuation shelters are open, including one at Carmel Middle School offering food, water, and support services, with discounted hotel rates available for evacuees in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. The shelter will remain open until evacuation orders are lifted.