Timber Fire

  • 5% Contained
  • 3,774 Acres
  • 1 County: Monterey
Not a CAL FIRE Incident. Updates will be made as they become available.
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Date Started
08/09/2026 10:44 AM
Last Updated
08/12/2026 4:10 PM
Cause
Under Investigation
Incident Maps and Reports
Agency Having Jurisdiction
Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County Sheriff's Department
Incident Management Team
CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 1
Location
Southeast of Loma Vista
[36.224857,-121.72983]
Reports
Status reports

Evacuations in Progress

Evacuation Orders

Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access.

Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following zones:

  • MRY-FO23
  • MRY-F025
  • MRY-F026
  • MRY-F027
  • MRY-F028-A

Evacuation Warnings

Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following zones: 

  • MRY-FO21-B
  • MRY-FO22
  • MRY-F024   
  • MRY-F028-B
  • MRY-FO29

Incident Updates

08/12/2026 4:02 PM
View larger image: Smoke and fog in mountains

Firefighters have reengaged in the Timber Fire. There is continued potential for isolated showers and thunderstorms. Even where rainfall is limited, lightning and outflow winds could create changes in fire behavior.

Updated by: Public Information Officer

08/12/2026 2:50 PM

 

Conditions across the Timber Fire are generating active cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, forcing ground crews to temporarily disengage from containment lines and fall back to designated safe zones for firefighter safety. A passing upper-level weather system across the Central Coast continues to bring a 15–20% chance of thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening, creating elevated operational risks marked by strong, erratic wind gusts and atmospheric instability.

Personnel and public safety remain the highest priority for incident command. Ground operations will resume, and firefighters will reassess fire behavior, as soon as the lightning hazard subsides and safety conditions allow crews to safely re-engage on the lines.

Updated by: Public Information Officer

08/12/2026 9:56 AM
View larger image: Morning breifing View larger image: Firefighters pack supplies View larger image: Firefighters in line View larger image: Firefighters and large map

Timber Fire activity surged early this morning and remained active around Partington Ridge and Coast Ridge Road along the southern edge. Firefighters continue protecting structures as the fire backs toward Highway 1. On the west side near Partington Ridge, dozer operators and ground crews built line to Highway 1, while crews mopped up hot spots and conducted tactical patrols around homes. Near Ventana, firefighters are mopping up around structures and completing hand line. Rolling debris and embers along Coast Ridge Road caused spot fires, but aggressive tactics contained them.

On the northern flank, bulldozers began cutting line along a ridgeline toward Highway 1 and the Big Sur River. The eastern side remains active in wilderness areas, where firefighters are looking for safe opportunities to engage. Overnight activity increased above 1,000 feet on the western flank, while crews continued prioritizing structure protection east of Highway 1 from Ventana south to Partington Road. Hotshot crews are working through steep, heavy vegetation to establish containment lines as conditions allow, with additional resources arriving on scene.

Weather conditions could become more challenging this afternoon into the evening. There is a 15–20% chance of thunderstorms entering the fire area, which could bring strong, erratic winds and unstable conditions. Elevated fire weather conditions are possible, although conditions are expected to vary significantly across the fire area depending on location.

Updated by: Public Information Officer

08/12/2026 5:54 AM
View larger image: Fire engines at dawn View larger image: Large truck motif View larger image: Fire engine at dawn View larger image: Map of Timber Fire perimeter

The Timber Fire acreage has increased to 3,150.  The fire stayed active overnight in the higher elevations above the fog line. It grew up steep hillsides, ignited individual trees, and slowly crept downhill. 

Updated by: Incident Management Team

08/11/2026 7:12 PM
View larger image: Dozers on a hillside
Firefighters continue working to build containment line on the Timber Fire along the Highway 1 corridor. The fire is moving at a slow rate of spread, burning primarily along the ground through grass, brush, and oak woodland. It has not moved into the treetops. Ground crews are working to access difficult terrain while aircraft support them from above by dropping water and retardant on active areas to slow the fire's growth.
A major focus of the response is protecting nearby homes and preventing the fire from crossing Highway 1. Safety remains the highest priority as commanders adjust their strategy to changing weather and terrain. Residents and drivers are asked to stay alert for increased emergency vehicle traffic along Highway 1 and to keep clear of active firefighting areas. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Overnight, areas above 1,800 feet will sit higher than the inversion layer, staying dry enough to keep the fire active. Below that line, expect cooler, more humid conditions—especially along the Highway 1 corridor.

Updated by: Incident Management Team

Additional Information

Temporary Evacuation Point

Carmel Middle School
4380 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, CA 93923

Resources Assigned

  • 904
    Personnel
  • 6
    Helicopters
  • 36
    Engines
  • 7
    Dozers
  • 6
    Water Tenders
  • 26
    Crews
  • 109
    Other Assigned

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

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