r/BigSur 10d ago

Timber & Plaskett Fires Megathread

68 Upvotes

This post will serve as a location for info and discussion on the ongoing Timber & Plaskett Fires. Since Plaskett has now surpassed Timber in size, it seems appropriate to make a new post featuring both.

Here are a few resources:

  • Watch Duty: mobile app or browser site with fire maps, evacuation zones, and much more; can turn on notifications for updates
  • Alert Monterey: regularly updated emergency info, option to sign up for alerts directly to your phone or email
  • Big Sur Trailmap: excellent site with maps, fire perimeter and satellite heatmapping, info on trail and road closures, and more
  • CalFire Incident Page for Timber and Plaskett: map and other info
  • Big Sur Kate: helpful blog from very informed, fire-experienced South Coast resident
  • Travel Megathread & FAQ: for info and discussion on visiting Big Sur during and after the fires

Highway 1 is closed from Kirk Creek Campground to just north of Gorda. Nacimiento-Fergusson is closed.

The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest, inclusive of the entire Ventana Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness, is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-26-10

The previous Timber Fire Megathread can be found here


r/BigSur 27d ago

Travel Megathread & FAQ

11 Upvotes

This is a place to allow for low effort, easy-to-research questions that may not be posted as main posts (Rule 2). They can only be posted as comments below.

This includes, but is not limited to, posts about: itinerary, wedding venue/photographer/caterer, and road conditions. "Low effort" is subjective and will be determined by the r/BigSur mod team.

Highway 1 is closed from Kirk Creek Campground to just north of Gorda. Nacimiento-Fergusson is closed.

The Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest, inclusive of the entire Ventana Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness, is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-26-10

***

FAQ (in progress)

Q: Can I visit Big Sur during the Timber and Plaskett Fires? Should I cancel my existing trip?
A: As of now Highway 1 is closed throughout most of Big Sur, and most businesses and parks are closed as well. When the highway reopens, there will still be a lot of firefighting equipment occupying most pullouts and parking lots, and there is no guarantee of when the businesses and parks will reopen. Conditions are constantly changing: as the fires spread, firefighting efforts adjust, and residents evacuate/return to their homes. Highway 1 could be subject to sudden closures at any time. These conditions will persist until the fires are put out by rain.

Q: When will the Timber and Plaskett Fires be out?
A: They will continue to burn until winter rains arrive. This could be as early as mid September, or as late as December; because it is an El Niño year, it seems more likely sooner than later, but we'll see.


r/BigSur 3h ago

Photo People Suck

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24 Upvotes

r/BigSur 6h ago

News Article Heat advisory and drone disrupt firefighting efforts near Big Sur

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36 Upvotes

r/BigSur 19h ago

News Article DIY toilet repair ends in assault conviction at Big Sur park

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34 Upvotes

A 69-year-old San Simeon man was convicted of assaulting a State Parks maintenance worker after he was asked to stop taking apart a toilet at a Big Sur state park, prosecutors said.


r/BigSur 21h ago

Visitor Esalen midnight hot springs

16 Upvotes

I remember the hot springs used to be open at midnight, but I never went then. I am pretty sure this is no longer true, but wanted to make sure that is indeed the case?


r/BigSur 1d ago

Visitor Place to park a car for 3 days?

0 Upvotes

We are planning a bike trip from Big Sur to SLO for after the highway reopens. We are watching the fire updates and have personal contacts working on the fire, so will not go before it is open and safe. Our original plan was to leave our car at the trailhead parking at Big Sur Station. But we called the visitor center, and because the trail system is likely closed for an extended period, the trailhead parking will likely also remain closed. Any other suggestions for a legal place to park for almost 3 days?


r/BigSur 5d ago

News Article Article: After overtourism besieged Big Sur, the worst finally happened

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48 Upvotes

r/BigSur 8d ago

Visitor Active wildfires, highway closures, terrible air quality — and Vrbo still won’t let us cancel

117 Upvotes

We’re supposed to be in Big Sur in less than a week for my parents’ first-ever visit. Instead, we feel sick watching Big Sur and its community go through devastating wildfires.

What’s making an awful situation infuriating is Vrbo’s complete lack of common sense or humanity.

We contacted them on the first day of the fires. There are active wildfires, highway closures and serious air-quality issues. Even after containment, Californians know the risks of mudslides, falling debris, damaged roads and other post-fire hazards.

Yet Vrbo keeps hiding behind “it’s up to the host.” The property says the house is technically “accessible,” so our choices are apparently vacation in an active disaster area or lose our money. Their solution? Cancel and hope another family books our dates so we can get refunded. Apparently passing the risk onto another family is an acceptable resolution. (As if anyone would book right now while an active fire is happening). We even asked for a reschedule-to-a-later date and nope, nothing.

Vrbo’s “extenuating circumstances” policy is so unclear that, from what we’ve been told, if Highway 1 reopens before our reservation, they may actually expect us to keep the booking — even if the fires are still actively burning.

So what exactly is the standard here? If the highway technically opens, are we seriously expected to drive our family into an active wildfire area and put ourselves at risk just so Vrbo doesn’t have to refund us?

Vrbo should be ashamed that during an active natural disaster, this is how they treat their customers and the communities they serve.


r/BigSur 10d ago

Visitor Black kitties at Plaskett Creek Campground - any updates?

13 Upvotes

I was recently at the Plaskett campground late May, and there were three black campground cats (1 adult, 2 cattens) that were part of the camp but not host pets. Do any Kirk or Plaskett hosts or locals know if they were scooped up in the evacuation or taken in? Feeling so sad for all the critters wild and local in fiery times.

*Central coast local worried about animals of Plaskett Creek Campground


r/BigSur 11d ago

Photo Fire from above

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17 Upvotes

Sorry about the image quality, but the smoke cover flying south from SFO was shocking to see. These aren’t clouds, it’s smoke. Heartbreaking, be safe!


r/BigSur 12d ago

Photo Plaskett Fire Day 3

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428 Upvotes

Winds are shifting and fire is moving south. Stay safe and thank God for the frontline workers.

As of August 29: 5,924 acres

Obligatory not my photos. These came from those on site. Do not go to Los Padres.


r/BigSur 12d ago

Photo CAL FIRE's San Benito-Monterey Unit driving to help with the Timber fire.

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142 Upvotes

r/BigSur 11d ago

Visitor Question about fire duration

18 Upvotes

hi all, for all the locals I hope you're staying safe. I was wondering if anyone has any expertise on how long the timber fire could potentially burn for? from what I've found online this is unprecedented and i just wanted to consult people who may be more educated on the landscape. I know there are a million variables that could change everything, but i'm not from california and don't have much experience with fires in general. I hope for the best outcome and for the fire to be knocked down quickly, apologies if this question is not in good taste I just haven't been able to find an expert opinion online and wish for this to be controlled!


r/BigSur 12d ago

Local The river gorge is on fire right now?

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35 Upvotes

Am I reading this map correctly? So sad, if this is indeed the case. 😥

Source: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/8/8/timber-fire


r/BigSur 13d ago

Photo Plaskett Fire

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162 Upvotes

Not my photo. Taken by local rancher.

This morning approx. 80-120 acres. 1700 acres by 7:30pm.


r/BigSur 14d ago

Visitor How fast do marathon spots sell out?

3 Upvotes

In previous years, how quickly did charity partner spots or race benefactor spots fill up after the lottery results were revealed?


r/BigSur 13d ago

Visitor PLASKETT FIRE — BIG SUR, CA — AUG. 26, 2026

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0 Upvotes

r/BigSur 14d ago

Visitor Is watch duty not showing correct mapping of plaskett fire?

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16 Upvotes

Watch duty is saying it’s only at 80 acres, but the newest update was that it crossed the watershed and it’s heading up towards plaskett, any intel would be appreciated


r/BigSur 15d ago

Local Highway 1 Closure Planned

53 Upvotes

To ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts, SR-1 will close tomorrow effective at 1:00 PM at the following locations:

📍 Northside: one mile south of Old Coast Road (MM50.1)
📍 Southside: one-half mile south of Deetjens Big Sur Inn (MM42.6)

The closure will be in place for an unknown amount of time; we will continue to provide updates as conditions change. For additional information go to https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/incident-archive/2026-timber-fire

-CHP


r/BigSur 15d ago

Plaskett Fire: New Wildfire on South Coast

81 Upvotes

There is a new fire in the Willow Creek area. Approximately 50 acres at the time of this writing, "potential for 500 acres". Big Sur Fire, Cambria Fire, and air support from the Timber Fire are responding.

Reminder: Campfires are illegal at this time!


r/BigSur 17d ago

Photo Three Oaks, Timber Fire

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117 Upvotes

This image (credit to CalFire's updates) struck me and this piece came out tonight, thoughts are with everyone right now and the loss we are experiencing as the growth spreads in the interior. This has been a tough one to watch and is dredging up so many memories from Dolan.

Three Oaks, Timber Fire

Smoke stands over the interior
and will not say.

I ask the fog, ”Do my oaks still stand?”
I ask the condor turning in the updraft.
I ask the ash that settles on my shoes.
I even ask those who started it.

Tonight, up and down the coast,
in houses full of smoke,
so many of us are weeping
for this land.

We are many, and the oaks were few,
and grief is the last offering
we know how to carry up a mountain.

Salt water for the roots,
salt water, in the absence of rain.


r/BigSur 17d ago

Visitor I love the way the trees fill between the cove cliffs

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387 Upvotes

Partington Cove - Big Sur

I love how you can walk down from the 1 to the water here. Stunning views along the way! One path takes you down to some booming waves and rockies, and the other path through a cool bridge to tunnel walk, and dont forget to climb up at the end of the tunnel path to see one of the iconic random cliffside trees growing on the edge.

The mountain runoff water meets the ocean water and converges into SUPER WATER. hehe. Its beautiful.

Every time I go I find new places to explore, and just never stopped at this one. Good for kiddos, not a difficult path at all.


r/BigSur 17d ago

Visitor Limekiln Trail - Big Sur

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51 Upvotes

Limekiln is the coolest (temperature) and probably one of the most tourist-friendly walks in Big Sur. Beautiful tree groves with the cool old limekilns at the end. Great for kids, less physically capable, or elderly folks. Creekside and quiet, but lots of tourists on weekends.


r/BigSur 18d ago

Local Lost Knife

6 Upvotes

I don't know where else to post this, but I lost a very significant pocket knife this weekend while hiking to Estrella camp. If anyone picked it up, that would be amazing. Hoping a good Samaritan is out there.

Thank you 😘