We will be posting updates here about Tassajara’s response to the Timber Fire which is currently active along the Big Sur coast and Ventana Wilderness. We have found that the Watch Duty App is a good way to keep up with the fire’s progress and the various agencies engaging with the fire, including evacuation notices. Also helpful is the website The Lookout for in depth (though unofficial) analysis on fire behavior run by a 30-year wildland fire veteran.

Thank you for your care and interest in Tassajara and for the many living beings surrounding it. May all be safe and free from harm.

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Timber Fire Update 09/01/2026

Due to some moisture over the area, the Timber Fire continues to remain in a holding pattern about 4 miles out from Tassajara, although that is expected to change in the next few days. We are happy to report that Russell, the wildland fire professional currently stationed at Tassajara, was able to take a short break from the valley during this quieter time.

Additionally, CAL-Fire has been through for a visit and we are still awaiting word on what they will be able to commit to Tassajara in the coming days.

We have received many offers from people wanting to come to Tassajara to help. We are so grateful that our community is coming forward in this way but it is not possible to have anyone but fully trained fire professionals at Tassajara right now. Please continue to send your love and energy to all impacted by this fire.

Recently Russell shared some interesting information on the website The Lookout detailing just how prepared Tassajara is for fire. Even if some of the details may be a bit too technical for the layperson, this list illustrates our care and commitment to do the best we can to care for this beautiful place. From Russell:

1. We have unlimited water from four different sources: a flowing creek, 60,000 gal in two storage tanks above Tassajara that feed 60psi into our permanent, underground standpipe system, 60,000 gal pool, hot springs well pump.
2. Extremely favorable topography. We are in the bottom of a green drainage with very little terrain from any direction rising towards us. Exterior sprinklers on every structure. These are hardlined in and part of the buildings’ infrastructure. We run these off of a pump permanently housed at the creek.
3. We have three backup pumps in place devoted to this system. I cannot stress enough—when we fire this system, you’ll want to put a raincoat on, anywhere in the valley. It creates such a humidity bubble that you would have to climb up the hill if you wanted to back burn.
4. A contingency hose lay stretching over the whole valley. This is a standard 1 ½ hoselay with a 1” laterals every hundred feet. This is separate from our sprinkler system and is intended for agency use. This all runs off of a single mark 3. We have 7 spare mark 3s.
5. Two helipads. One on the road for medical (light or medium ship) and one on the hill that has been approved by CalFire Blackhawks (heavy).
6. Sprinklered parking for agency vehicles.
7. Several buildings that you couldn’t burn down if you tried.
8. Flowing creek stretching the entire southern perimeter with no structures on the other side of the creek
9. A huge amount of food and housing available to Agency resources. Hot springs pools for bathing.
10. An enclosed cab UTV and an ATV.
    

Timber Fire Update 8/28/2026

Recent rain in the area is helping slow the nearby wildfire’s progress, giving our teams valuable extra time to prepare—though it won’t put the fire out on its own. Our on-site contract professional firefighting team remains fully engaged in fire preparation and readiness.

Because of the ongoing fire activity, we’ve made the decision to cancel Tassajara’s September work period. We’re now planning to bring smaller crews in during October’s practice period to take care of some key infrastructure work.

We’re grateful for the community’s steadiness and support. More updates to come.

Timber Fire Update 08/27/2026

The fire remains about 4 miles from Tassajara. It burned actively overnight but is behaving as expected, following the terrain. This afternoon, a weather system is expected to bring cooler, wetter conditions—good news overall—though it may also bring shifting winds that make fire behavior less predictable, so our team is watching closely.

Cal Fire’s leadership toured Tassajara yesterday, and we’re waiting to hear whether they’ll commit additional crews. In the meantime, our own team on the ground continues strong preparation work: we ran the sprinkler system across Dharma Rain again overnight, and the valley remains wet this morning.

We’re also bringing in additional experienced support. A professional firefighter and longtime friend of Russell’s arrives today to help with preparations and will be with us for about a week. A local firefighter familiar with Tassajara arrives tomorrow, and a wildland firefighter and EMT from Jamesburg is on-site today as well. Once our plant manager briefs the team on plant operations, she’ll head safely out of the valley, staying available by phone for anything that comes up.

Russell reports that we are very well prepared, and that the main concern right now is air quality rather than direct fire risk. The Plaskett Fire to the south, aside from contributing additional smoke, does not pose any additional threat to Tassajara.

We will continue to update the Sangha as news develops.

Timber Fire Update 08/24/2026

On Sunday, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department ordered an evacuation of Tassajara. The Timber Fire is about five miles away and growing in our direction. This is not an urgent situation, and Tassaraja is still not directly threatened, but it’s important to be sure the evacuation is done in a calm and safe way. Additionally, smoke continues to be an issue. Currently, Jamesburg is not being evacuated.

While it is very hard to leave Tassajara, the safety of our residents is our top concern. Students will find shelter at City Center and Green Gulch Farm and will join the communities there until we know more.

We have been working with a professional wildland firefighter for many years, who has lived at Tassajara and knows it very well. He will stay behind and coordinate the arrival of other trained wildland firefighters to assist him if Tassajara does become threatened. We are deeply grateful for his efforts, and for all efforts to contain the fire.

We will continue to update the Sangha as news develops.

Timber Fire Update 08/23/2026

We have made the decision to cancel the rest of the Tassajara guest season, as well as to start evacuating students.

The fire is not yet threatening the property and there is no official evacuation order, but the direction of the fire is creating an enormous amount of smoke in the valley and impacting air quality.

Our contract wildland firefighter Russell will stay in the valley along with a skeleton crew of students for the time being. Due to the small footprint, we will be able to keep people in more enclosed spaces with better air quality, air filters, and masks as we continue to monitor the fire.

We will continue to update the blog if there is further news.

Timber Fire Update 08/19/2026

We have been monitoring the Timber Fire near Tassajara since August 8th, and while at this time the fire is not directly threatening Tassajara, smoke remains a concern.

Since August 11th, we have not allowed students who were previously scheduled to arrive at Tassajara to come into the valley. Several students have already departed due to health concerns as there has been significant smoke with considerable fluctuations in air quality. Given these factors, we have canceled all retreats from August 17th through 23rd while we continue to monitor the fire.

With this reduced student footprint, we are now reviewing the final two weeks of the summer guest season to determine what, if anything, is possible for us to support even if the fire continues to not threaten Tassajara and the smoke declines. One benefit of this smaller footprint is that we’re able to have everyone eat together in the guest dining room, which is enclosed.

As of this date, the work period scheduled for September and the Fall Practice Period are still on track to proceed.

Professional wildland firefighters who are deeply familiar with Tassajara are closely tracking the fire’s progress and they remain in daily contact with SFZC leadership. Should an evacuation become necessary, clear protocols are already in place and every student currently on site has been trained in that procedure. Any student concerned about their health or safety due to smoke can choose to leave at any time. And because we’ve had no guests these past few days, students have been able to stay indoors and keep their smoke exposure to a minimum.

Thank you to our friends, members, and supporters for your kind words and for holding Tassajara and all who have been affected by the fire in your hearts. Please reach out to our Reservations Office at (415) 865-1899 with any questions.

Timber Fire Update 08/14/2026

Due to the presence of smoke, air quality, and the proximity of the Timber Fire, SFZC and Tassajara have made the difficult decision not to remain open next week. All guests who have reservations and all students who have been scheduled to come to Tassajara next week have been informed. Guests can contact the Reservations Office at (415) 865-1899 and students should email the Tassajara Director at zmcdirector@sfzc.org if there are any questions.

There are no current evacuation warnings or orders for Tassajara, Tassajara Road, or Jamesburg. The fire is still several miles away and is not directly threatening Tassajara at this time. However, all remaining guests and students are encouraged to leave at any time if they wish to do so. We will continue to update the Sangha as this situation unfolds.