Timber Fire, Day 22, 8/29, Morning Update

From BEU (CAl Fire)

#TimberFire update8/29/2026 6:45 AM

The Timber fire is has been mapped at 24,408 acres and has 21% containment.

Firefighters are maintaining active suppression operations across the entire incident by focusing on structure protection, fortifying primary control lines, and preparing secondary contingency options. Along the Manuel Peak and Highway 1 corridor, where the fire has pushed south and breached control features in multiple areas, engine strike teams, hand crews, and Hotshots are conducting coordinated strategic firing operations to protect nearby structures. These ground efforts are reinforced by unmanned aircraft systems, aviation assets, and retardant drops applied directly to dozer lines along the ridge above the highway. Ground personnel continue to cut direct handline wherever terrain permits, using both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft to support these critical holding operations.

Across the northern sector of the fire, crews and heavy equipment are connecting and improving a network of dozer lines, handlines, roads, and ridgelines to build robust primary control features. Near Botchers Gap, dozers are pushing east toward the Los Padres Reservoir while strengthening the Big Pine Ridge system. Moving further east toward Arroyo Seco, crews are engaged in a long-term operation to prepare the surrounding ridge system as a main barrier, which involves extensive line clearing, improving access routes, and establishing structure-defense plans. Meanwhile, south of Arroyo Seco, resources are clearing the Indians–Arroyo Seco Road to bolster both primary lines and backup options.

In the southern portion of the incident, crews and dozers are actively clearing existing control lines while preparing the Coast Ridge Road corridor and adjacent ridges to act as secondary holding features if the fire moves south. Air operations are being guided by two dedicated Air Attack platforms, supported by a mix of Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters as well as day-and-night drone operations, though fixed-wing air tankers remain limited by high national demand and are strictly deployed for high-priority ground operations. Recent smoke and cloud cover prevented overnight infrared mapping flights, meaning the current fire perimeter maps do not capture recent expansion and will remain unupdated until conditions clear. Ultimately, all firefighters remain committed to their core strategic objective of containing the blaze north of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, south of Carmel Valley Road, east of Highway 1, and west of Millers Ranch.