Historic Big Sur businesses close again as 2 wildfires expand, force new evacuations

BIG SUR, Calif. (KGO) -- The Timber Fire has burned more than 23,000 acres in Big Sur, becoming California's third-largest wildfire of the year, while firefighters also are responding to the newer Plaskett Fire, prompting additional evacuations and closures across the region.

A 40-mile stretch of Highway 1 is closed, and officials are urging drivers to avoid the area. Neither fire is close to full containment.

For many Big Sur residents, the fires have brought back memories of past wildfire seasons.

"This one, though, is very reminiscent to the 2008 Basin Complex fire," said Kirk Gafill, one of the family owners of Nepenthe, Café Kevah and The Phoenix Shop.

MORE: Timber Fire pushes deeper into Monterey Co. wilderness as flames, evacuations expand: CAL FIRE

Still, he noted that every fire brings different challenges.

"We're just doing the best we can right now," he said. "We're monitoring it closely and trying to be as prepared as we can be."

Business forced to close again as wildfires rebound

Gafill's family has deep roots in the area. His grandparents founded the restaurant Nepenthe, a longtime Big Sur landmark overlooking the coast that opened in 1949 and is in its 78th year.

Protecting the property remains a priority for the family.

"We're doing all we can to try to extend this to future generations," Gafill said. "It's a magical place."

Images taken from the property nearly three weeks ago showed an orange glow from the Timber Fire. More recently, the burn scar has become visible. After a mandatory evacuation order was lifted, the business reopened last week.

"First time I've seen the sun and some blue skies in quite a few days. What a blessing," Gafill said in video recorded Aug. 13.

But on Thursday, the business was forced to close again and shelter in place.

"I've been describing it as sort of a punch in the gut because this is our busiest month of the year. Every one of the days in August that we're closed is like losing three days in the winter," Gafill said.

As he and some employees remain on site, smoky conditions have persisted.

Grueling firefight continues with expanded evacuation zones

Nearly 1,300 firefighters continue to battle the Timber Fire.

"Currently, we're trying to rotate folks out on either a 14-day or 21-day cycle," CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Josh Silveira said.

Silveira said crews are preparing for a red-flag warning beginning at 5 a.m. Friday because of thunderstorms.

While any rain would be welcome, he said firefighters are concerned about stronger winds.

"We're seeing the potential for outflow winds in the 40 to 50 mile an hour range, which are going to be yet another trying aspect of this incident," Silveira said.

MORE: Plaskett Fire breaks out in Big Sur as crews continue to battle Timber Fire

Fire crews also are responding to the Plaskett Fire, about 25 miles south of the Timber Fire, as flames and evacuation zones continue to expand.

Silveira, a local, said he understands the challenges facing evacuees.

"It's like a visceral feeling to leave home," he said. "Without any kind of understanding of when you're going to be back."

As a firefighter, he urged residents to follow evacuation orders and stressed the importance of keeping residents and first responders safe.

"We constantly reevaluate, try to get people back to their normalcy, back to their homes as quickly as possible," Silveira said.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said residents who choose to remain in evacuation or shelter-in-place areas must be prepared to sustain themselves for up to seven days with food, water, medications, generator fuel and other essentials. Those residents will not be able to leave freely until orders are lifted.