Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to Reopen Oct. 16 Following Timber Fire
Contact:
Mike Dippel
Chief Ranger
Monterey District
(831) 233-4801
.png "Timber Fire at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP")
Clockwise from top: View of Mount Manuel burning during the Timber Fire at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Redwood trees burning along Pfeiffer Falls Trail. The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s softball field served as the incident command post throughout the fire response. Photos from California State Parks.
BIG SUR —California State Parks will reopen Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to the public on Friday, Oct. 16, after the park was temporarily closed during the Timber Fire, which burned approximately 517 acres within the park, including many of its trails.
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 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, the park hosted thousands of firefighters and support personnel from across California and throughout the country as they worked to contain the Timber Fire and protect communities, infrastructure and natural resources in the Big Sur area. State Park Peace Officers, resources staff and maintenance staff worked around the clock to assist with evacuations, critical infrastructure protection and resource protection.
State Parks thanks the firefighters, emergency responders, partner agencies, support personnel and community members who supported the fire response. With the park transitioning out of its role in the emergency response, State Parks is preparing to welcome visitors back to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Areas Reopening to the Public
Beginning Friday, Oct. 16, visitors will once again be able to access many of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s popular areas and facilities, including:
- Day-use areas
- Campground
- Buzzards Roost Trail
- River Path
- Nature Trail
- Redwood Grove Boardwalk
- Nature Center
- Campfire Center
- Big Sur Lodge
Visitors Should Expect Continued Fire-Related Closures
While much of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park will reopen for public use, portions of the park remain closed due to impacts from the Timber Fire.
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. Several trails will remain closed until further notice to allow for continued assessment and recovery work:
- Pfeiffer Falls Trail
- Valley View Trail
- Oak Grove Trail
- Mt. Manuel Trail
- Big Sur River Gorge Trail
- Pine Ridge Trail
Closures are in place for public safety and may remain necessary while State Parks staff and partner agencies continue to evaluate post-fire conditions. Visitors entering closed trails or burned areas will be cited.
The reopening of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park marks an important step in the recovery of the Big Sur area following the Timber Fire. State Parks appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during the extended closure and encourages visitors to recreate responsibly, follow all posted closures and remain alert to changing conditions.
State Parks staff will continue assessing fire impacts, addressing hazards and restoring public access where it is safe to do so.
View of the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance sign with smoke from firing operations on Hopkins Ridge in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in the background. Photo from California State Parks.
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