Update for August 12 from Los Padres National Forest on Facebook:

Current Situation:

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.

Highway One remains closed between Fernwood on the north to the southern turnout at JB Burn State Park.

Weather:

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.

Evacuation Orders:

• – MRY-F023
• – MRY-F025
• – MRY-F026
• – MRY-F027
• – MRY-F028-A

These are the same columns I was shooting from my place at 6:30 or so. Josh was shooting from the top of Partington just past Heidi’s.. At 4:30 am I sat in the dark and watched the flames from my place.

Timber Fire Update:

CURRENT SITUATION: The Timber Fire continued to back down towards structures in Ventana today, as well as toward structures along Grimes and Stoney Ridges as it spread south towards Partington Road. Firefighters remain actively engaged in structure defense this evening, and they will remain there overnight. Aircraft, including the DC10, was used heavily after the inversion lifted midday to assist firefighters on the ground in these areas.

Small up slope runs and single tree torching continued today, especially on the northern part of the fire and in the brush fields in the higher elevations.

While the goal is to keep the overall footprint of the Timber Fire as small as possible, resources currently on scene are focusing now on structure defense on the west side of the fire. As additional resources arrive, they will engage on the less accessible eastern edge.

WEATHER: Tonight’s weather is expected to be cool and cloudy at the coast, with a small chance of drizzle. Areas above approximately 1200-1500 feet are expected to remain clear and dry with light winds.

Per Los Padres National Forest on Facebook.Timber Fire Update:

CURRENT SITUATION: The Timber Fire continued to back down towards structures in Ventana today, as well as toward structures along Grimes and Stoney Ridges as it spread south towards Partington Road. Firefighters remain actively engaged in structure defense this evening, and they will remain there overnight. Aircraft, including the DC10, was used heavily after the inversion lifted midday to assist firefighters on the ground in these areas.

Small up slope runs and single tree torching continued today, especially on the northern part of the fire and in the brush fields in the higher elevations.

While the goal is to keep the overall footprint of the Timber Fire as small as possible, resources currently on scene are focusing now on structure defense on the west side of the fire. As additional resources arrive, they will engage on the less accessible eastern edge.

WEATHER: Tonight’s weather is expected to be cool and cloudy at the coast, with a small chance of drizzle. Areas above approximately 1200-1500 feet are expected to remain clear and dry with light winds.

Per Los Padres National Forest on Facebook.

Rohana says there are from Torre Canyon. I have been watching this for the last 1/2 hour or so and taking photos and contacting people, but ow I see a column and think it is time to get my photos up.

These were all taken at 5:15. I also just spotted a column building and got a shot of it. At a bit before 6.

Note to readers: CHP and CALTRANS seem to have had some difficulty coming to an agreement as to what page they are on. This is officially from Caltrans, whicle the chp page has not been updated from Partington to Fernwood as the closure. Maybe I should check my maps to see if Partington is 2 miles north of JP Burns.

TEN-MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 1 IN BIG SUR CLOSED

TO SUPPORT TIMBER FIRE OPERATIONS

MONTEREY COUNTY – As of 2 pm Tuesday, August 11, a 10-mile stretch of Highway 1 is closed to support Timber Fire emergency response.

Highway 1 is closed from 2-miles north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (Post Mile 37.5) to Fernwood (Post Mile 47) to facilitate firefighting and evacuation operations.

Electronic message boards will alert travelers in advance of the closure. Avoid any unnecessary travel through the area. Drivers should use US 101 as an alternate route.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5. 

Our crews deserve to get home safely too.

Drive slowly and carefully in work zones.

CHP Traffic Incident Information Page: http://cad.chp.ca.gov

Traveler information at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

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New Message from Carmel Unified to families regarding closure and transpo:

Dear CUSD Staff and Families,

Due to the evolving situation with the Timber Fire and the recently expanded mandatory evacuation order that includes Captain Cooper Elementary School & Apple Pie Preschool, we are communicating this update.

To ensure the safety of our students and staff, our transportation plan has been revised. Buses will now deliver all students to The River Inn, which will be the only stop. All students are expected to arrive at approximately 4:00PM. Families must make arrangements to pick up their children from this location. The transportation department will provide additional communications regarding any route changes. 

We urge families living in mandatory evacuation zones to carefully plan their pickup arrangements. Please be aware that if you leave your residence you may not be permitted to return to the evacuation zone.

The District is taking steps to protect our students and staff with the information we currently have available. At this time:

· Apple Pie Preschool will remain closed until further notice. 

· Our team is currently working on a revised contingency plan for Captain Cooper

· Transportation for CMS and CHS students is being reviewed.

We will continue to share updates as the situation changes and plans are finalized for tomorrow.

Temporary Evacuation Center

The Red Cross has established an Evacuation Shelter at Carmel Middle School to serve residents who are in the evacuation order areas. The shelter accepts pets and is open 24 hours. 

Stay safe,

Sharon Ofek

Superintendent

2 pm – a lot going on. Radio traffic is indicating spotting at the State Park, too many looky loos, closing highway at Partington Ridge Rd at 2 pm and also at a northern location at FERNWOOD

 CLOSURE of a Road Location:

 SR1 / Partington Ridge Rd Loc Desc:

 **CLOSED AS OF 1400HRS** Lat/Lon:

 36.184240 -121.701360 

This wonderful series of photos was taken by Rohana Mayer on Monday, 8/10/26 in the general area of Partington Ridge.