More than 360 personnel joined the fight against the Timber Fire in Big Sur on Saturday, bringing the total to 2,177, as containment reached 15%, Cal Fire said.

The size of the fire in the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County increased about 7% to 4,869 acres in 24 hours, from 4,545 acres on Friday afternoon.

Thirteen more fire engines were assigned, raising the total to 194; a dozen more water tenders, to a total of 36. Two more helicopters brought the sum to 10, and six additional hand crews, to 47.

“Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow,” Cal Fire said Saturday night.

Fire crews led by a Cal Fire incident management team made progress digging and reopening fire containment lines, with bulldozer containment lines on the north side of the fire complete, Cal Fire said earlier.

A map showing the Timber Fire, which has burned 4,000 acres, with surrounding areas marked for warnings and helicopter operations.
A Cal Fire map highlights the Timber Fire in the Los Padres National Forest southeast of Loma Vista in Monterey County, Calif., at 4,869 acres on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. The wildfire is at 15% contained as of 6 p.m., according to Cal Fire. (Cal Fire via Bay City News)

Hot spots were detected above homes in the Castro Canyon area, where Cal Fire said crews were focusing efforts on Saturday.

There were over 500 structures threatened, but none had been damaged or destroyed as of Saturday. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters in yellow gear navigate a steep, brush-covered hillside while clearing vegetation and securing a trail.
U.S. Forest Service hand crews work on a steep hillside along the Timber Fire in Monterey County, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. Cal Fire estimated a total personnel to 2,177 as containment reached 15%. (Cal Fire via Bay City News)

About 640 residents were under evacuation orders and about 350 more were under evacuation warnings as of Saturday.

All previous evacuation orders and warnings for residents from Partington Creek to Pheneger Creek and surrounding areas remained in place.

A 10-mile stretch of state Highway 1 in Big Sur was closed to support fire operations, Caltrans said. The highway was blocked from two miles north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to the Big Sur Bakery.

Cal Fire initially said the fire started on Aug. 9 but later clarified that it started on Aug. 8 near Timber Top Trail. It jumped Coastal Ridge Road and spread northwest toward Big Sur Campgrounds and several well-known restaurants and hotels.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Monetary donations were being accepted by the Community Foundation for Monterey County (Monterey County Fire Relief Fund) and American Red Cross, county Communications Director Nicholas M. Pasculli said.