A wildfire along Northern California’s celebrated Big Sur coast spread rapidly on Monday, prompting evacuation orders in Monterey County, including at several well-known destinations.
The Timber fire started Sunday in the Los Padres National Forest near Loma Vista, a Monterey County community about 100 miles south of San Jose. By Monday evening, the blaze had burned more than 1,700 acres and was 5 percent contained.
The authorities issued evacuation orders for several areas that covered landmarks including Nepenthe, a cliffside restaurant, and the Henry Miller Memorial Library, an arts center named for the writer who spent nearly two decades in Big Sur.
Rugged terrain and heavy vegetation were making it difficult for firefighters to reach the flames, officials said. Conditions were expected to remain dry enough overnight to keep the fire active at higher elevations, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“I know there is a lot of uncertainty right now,” Sheriff Tina M. Nieto said Monday evening. “I want everyone to remain calm, but I also want you to pay attention and be prepared.”
Authorities were still investigating the cause of the fire.
A section of Highway 1, the famed costal route that runs through Big Sur, reopened Monday after being closed Sunday from Point Sur Lighthouse to Vista Point.
Light winds, haze and widespread smoke were forecast for the Big Sur region on Tuesday. The region’s proximity to the coast makes it vulnerable to gusts.
Judson Jones contributed reporting.