Visitors Urged to Stay Away From Big Sur as Timber Fire Grows
Would-be visitors to Big Sur are being urged not to travel to the region after a wildfire forced mandatory evacuation orders in the area on Sunday.
The Timber Fire, which continues to grow in size and is 5% contained, is burning in what Monterey County officials describe as “steep, rugged and difficult terrain” in the Los Padres National Forest above Highway 1.
This coastal stretch is home to many of Big Sur’s most popular hotels, restaurants and campgrounds, as well as state parks.
Highway 1 through the area is closed as of Tuesday afternoon, according to a Facebook post by the California Highway Patrol. But visitors were being strongly advised to avoid Big Sur altogether over the past few days even when the route was open to the public.
“We are respectfully asking the public to stay out of the area,” the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday morning Facebook post.
“Roadways must remain clear so first responders can work safely and effectively. Unnecessary traffic and sightseeing in the fire zone create hazards for emergency crews and slow down critical operations.”
The evacuation order has forced the closure of several Big Sur businesses and attractions on and around Highway 1, including Nepenthe, and the evacuation of guests from hotels, including Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn and the Alila Ventana hotel and campground.
All state parks in Big Sur — Andrew Molera, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, Pfeiffer Big Sur and Point Sur state parks — are currently closed due to the threat from the Timber Fire.
Announcing its temporary closure in an Instagram post, the Henry Miller Memorial Library wrote: “We implore you: Do not come to Big Sur.”
“This is an incredibly serious situation,” the library said. “Fewer cars on the road allow CalFire and emergency services to do their job as effectively and safely as possible.”
Stretches of the coast to the north and south of the mandatory evacuation zone are also currently under an evacuation warning — the step that comes before an evacuation order, which acts as a warning to residents that they may need to evacuate soon.
Is Highway 1 open through Big Sur during the Timber Fire?
Right now, no. On Tuesday afternoon, Monterey CHP announced on Facebook that Highway 1 through the area is closed between Fernwood Resort and Campground all the way to Julia Pfeiffer Burns Vista Point.
The status of Highway 1 has been changeable and unpredictable for drivers in the last few days. On Monday, signs on Highway 1 informed motorists that the route was closed to all drivers except for residents and employees between Point Sur Lighthouse and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Hwy 1 was open to the public on Tuesday morning but Caltrans spokesperson Kevin Drabinski told KQED that the agency was nonetheless asking travelers to avoid travel to Big Sur even if the route was technically open — not just because of the fire’s proximity to the highway but because of the “inordinate amount of equipment and staffing” that the Timber Fire response demands.
“We want to leave as much space on the highway for emergency responders and that effort,” Drabinski said.
This year’s Monterey Car Week, which organizers say draws over 100,000 visitors every year, is currently ongoing north of Big Sur through Sunday — and travelers heading to Monterey from the south who were planning to use Hwy 1 “are encouraged to consider an alternate route using Highway 101 North,” said See Monterey, the region’s tourism body.
If you’re looking at alternative routes around Big Sur right now, bear in mind that the one narrow road connecting Big Sur south of Lucia to Hwy 101 over the Santa Lucia mountains — Nacimiento-Fergusson Road — is notoriously steep and winding.
Advice for visitors to Big Sur right now
If you have existing plans to visit the Big Sur region, keep a close eye out for any email or voicemail notification from your hotel advising you of any cancellations — and your options.
If you’re trying to get in contact with your accommodation yourself, bear in mind that the property may have been directly affected by the Timber Fire evacuations, and that cellphone service in the area is spotty.
See Monterey is advising visitors who are already in the affected areas of Big Sur to “follow evacuation instructions, take essential belongings and medications, and bring their pets.”
According to See Monterey, several hotels throughout Monterey County are now also “offering evacuation rates for residents and visitors in need,” through a spreadsheet of available lodgings.
Monterey County has established a temporary evacuation point at Carmel Middle School, where evacuees can get information and help on next steps they should take.