Timber Fire

Perimeter mapped September 15, 2026 at 5:20 PM PDT, 25,436 acres (mixed methods). Point of origin 36.216, -121.718.

Live radar at the fire Forecast for Big Sur

Size

25,435 acres

Containment

59%

Discovered

August 8, 2026 at 8:35 PM PDT

Cause

Undetermined

Location

4 Miles SE from Big Sur, CA

County

Monterey County

State

California

Nearest city reported

Big Sur

Protecting agency

USFS

Jurisdiction

USFS

Land ownership at origin

USFS

Personnel assigned

853

Incident management

Complex Incident Management Team, Type 1 Incident

Primary fuel

Short Grass (1 foot)

Estimated cost to date

$169,880,942

Incident type

Wildfire

Unique fire identifier

2026-CALPF-002271

IRWIN identifier

51374D2C-D96B-40F7-940B-6CB8E0A483A2

Mapped area at the last perimeter of each day, from August 9, 2026 (376 acres) to September 18, 2026 (25,436 acres). The largest one-day growth was 5,418 acres, mapped August 28, 2026.

• Wind up to 7 mph from the west
• Relative humidity as low as 55%
• High of 69°F

National Weather Service hourly forecast for the fire’s point of origin, next 24 hours.

Full forecast for Big Sur, CA

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches covering the fire's point of origin.

No Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch is in force at the fire.

NOAA’s Hazard Mapping System analysts have not drawn smoke over the fire’s origin today.

NOAA’s smoke model forecasts near-surface smoke at the origin peaking at 0.9 µg/m³ around Sun, 8:00 PM PDT over the next 48 hours.

Smoke and fire layers on the radar

Posted on InciWeb, updated September 19, 2026.

SUMMARY: The Timber Fire was discovered the afternoon of August 8, 2026, approximately 4 miles southeast of Big Sur, California. Currently, Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 1 is managing the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Much of the fire is burning in the footprint of the 2016 Sobranes Fire and firefighters are using a direct-extinguishment strategy that incorporates the use of several previously established fire lines as well as newly constructed lines and working directly along the fire’s edge where safe to do so to minimize potential growth. With incredibly steep and rugged terrain throughout the fire area, it is not safe for firefighters to engage much of the fire's edge directly so indirect lines have been constructed supported by fire hose lays. Firefighters have prepped structures and communities near the fire as a precaution. Helicopters are dropping water on hot spots and firefighters mopping up hot spots have increased the containment of the fire. Highway 1 is now open and travelers are asked to use caution as firefighters and heavy equipment are actively working along the highway. EVACUATIONS: For the latest evacuation information, visit Ready Monterey County: www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency To directly sign up for Alerts, Visit: https://alertmontereycounty.genasys.com/portal/en AREA CLOSURE: The Los Padres National Forest has issued an Area Closure for Forest Service managed lands surrounding the Timber and Plaskett Fires. Full text of the Closure Order, and Closure Order Map. DAILY AIR QUALITY REPORTS: Fire. AirNow.gov

Original at InciWeb

• Big Sur, CA6 miles northwest of the fire’s origin
• Carmel Valley Village, CA20 miles north of the fire’s origin
• Gonzales, CA25 miles northeast of the fire’s origin
• Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA26 miles northwest of the fire’s origin
• Soledad, CA26 miles northeast of the fire’s origin
• Del Rey Oaks, CA27 miles north of the fire’s origin