Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park will reopen portions of its fire-scarred grounds to visitors on October 16 after serving as a critical emergency hub during the two-month Timber Fire fight.
The closure began in late August when the blaze erupted on August 8 in the Los Padres National Forest, forcing evacuations of hundreds of residents and shuttering world-renowned luxury resorts including the Alila Ventana Big Sur and the Post Ranch Inn. The Timber Fire consumed more than 25,000 acres across Monterey County’s scenic Highway 1 corridor, threatening hundreds of structures as crews battled from the ground and air.
More than 500 acres inside the park itself burned, yet the grounds immediately became the nerve center for the massive suppression effort. “Shortly after the Timber Fire began on Aug. 8, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park became a critical location for the large-scale emergency response,” the reopening announcement stated. “The park served as a base camp and incident command location for CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service and cooperating agencies throughout the incident.”
Over the past two months, thousands of firefighters and support personnel from across California and throughout the country operated from the park as they worked to contain the flames and protect Big Sur communities, infrastructure and natural resources. Staff personnel at every level worked around the clock to assist with evacuations, critical infrastructure protection and resource protection, officials said.
The reopening marks what officials called an “important step in the recovery of the Big Sur area” after the devastating blaze. Visitors will regain access to several park trails along with the Big Sur lodge, the Redwood Grove Boardwalk, the Nature Center and the Campfire Center.
Not all of the park will welcome visitors back immediately. Several areas will remain closed for public safety due to fire damage, including Pfeiffer Falls Trail, Valley View Trail, Oak Grove Trail and Mount Manuel Trail. “Burned areas continue to present hazards, including unstable trees, falling rocks and debris, damaged trails, erosion, and the potential for debris flows and flash flooding during rain storms,” officials warned.
Staff will continue assessing fire impacts, addressing hazards and restoring public access where it is safe to do so.
The Timber Fire also led to the closure of parts of Highway 1 for several weeks, cutting off access to the iconic coastal route that draws tourists from around the world. The blaze burned more than 20,000 acres in a matter of weeks according to CAL FIRE’s tracking.
As of October 9, CAL FIRE’s last update placed the blaze at 97 percent contained with 25,352 acres destroyed. “Fire activity remains minimal across much of the incident, with isolated smoldering and creeping in heavier fuels, particularly along the northern and northwestern portions of the fire,” officials reported at that time.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
