Posted on 08/15/2026 9:55:35 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Firefighters resumed aerial attacks on the Big Sur fire Friday, as the blaze has burned more than 4,000 acres and continues to impact the local community and economy.
The fire, located about four miles south of Nepenthe’s restaurant near Highway 1, has been challenging to contain.
Advertisement “So it’s a real wild card. If it gets going back there,” said Kirk Gafill, general manager of Nepenthe. “Fortunately, we haven’t had much in the way of wind events. So, you know, cautiously optimistic. It seems like they’re doing a terrific job advancing the containment and work on this fire and very grateful for that.”
The economic toll of the fire is becoming clearer, with Nepenthe’s restaurant forced to close due to its location in a mandatory evacuation zone.
“For our particular property, I mean, we’re losing over $70,000 in revenue a day,” Gafill said. “And here we are in the fourth day where we’ve had a complete closure, and we’re not sure when we’re going to be able to reopen again.”
The closure has also affected more than 100 employees, many of whom were expecting to benefit from the busy Car Week.
“We’ll maintain benefits for them and keep them on health insurance and provide other benefits for them,” Gafill said. “Their hourly wages and their tipped income in the hospitality industry, which is huge, is something that, you know, we’re not able to replace at this time.”
On Friday, the county’s Community Emergency Response Team was activated to provide relief to those affected by the fire.
“That’s just now being activated,” Gafill said. “So it may take, you know, 24 hours or so to start actually getting into process. But that would be a huge pressure relief to those who have stayed behind in the mandatory evacuation zone.”
Congressman Jimmy Panetta visited the fire line Friday, meeting with firefighters and community leaders. Despite the fire threatening more than 500 structures and burning thousands of acres, Panetta said a disaster declaration does not appear likely at this time.
“Look, I think the fact that we haven’t lost any structures says a lot about the community,” Panetta said. “It says a lot about our firefighters and our first responders. Obviously, from the federal level, we’re watching and coordinating to make sure that if there is further damage that meets the numbers and the amount that’s necessary, we’ll work with the state. The state’s then got to make the declaration. Then it goes up to the federal government.”
Many in the Big Sur community are hopeful that Highway 1 will fully reopen and mandatory evacuations will be lifted soon, but the timeline depends on weather conditions and fire activity.
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The best place for burgers in the entire USA.
Just for the fantastic view.
I’m sure Nepenthe, Post Ranch Inn and Ventanna Inn are all getting hit.
I’ve been to all three.
I agree. Great, great coastline, the most beautiful drive on the North American continent.
i lived in Big Sur decades ago with my two little kids and my dog, “Joe Corgi”/douse owned by the family that owned huge hotels and built a railroad, the Hopkins. Had a vacation there earlier and hated to leave. Someone told me about the h ouse and Sam Hopkins met me there and showed it to me. Ridiculously cheap, he just wanted someone to live in the house he used only in the summe it didn’t get robbed.
Kids went to Captain Cooper school, took the bus every morning. And we often went to lovely Nepenthe for lunch on weekends. Just thinking of a fire in beautiful Big Sur hurts my heart.
T
4,000 acres? Reno “Bug” fire says “Hold my beer!” Over 90,000 acres since last Saturday. “Stallion” fire near Pyramid Lake is over 40,000 since last Sunday. Closest “get ready to leave” zone was about 2 miles north of our place. Thankfully they are getting a handle on both of them. Best of luck to those near the Big Sur fires.
That was the table I liked best back on 1966-67
Sensational view.
All of them and every last one down to Morro Bay are being affected.
I was going to take a drive to Cambria to get my hamburger but would have to take highway 101
I go to Cambria, not for the hamburger per se but, for the views along the drive and Moonstone Beach.
Went to Half Moon Bay instead....
Wow
That is not good for Big Sur
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