The Timber Fire appears to be growing at a slower rate and is now 17% contained, though it continues to cut off Big Sur and Highway 1 from Northern California tourism.

The Timber Fire, which was sparked on August 8 in Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County, continued expanding its footprint over the weekend, though at a slower pace than it had been last week. The fire now stands at 5,189 acres as of Monday morning, and it is 17% contained.

Highway 1 remains closed from the area near Big Sur Bakery and Fernwood Resort and Campground on the north side, to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park on the south side. Firefighting efforts brought the fire perimeter down to the eastern edge of Highway 1 at Grimes Canyon, near Grimes Point.

Firefigher conducting a firing operation to create containment lines on the Timber Fire on Monday, August 17. Photo via Cal Fire

An operational update on Monday from Timber Fire Operations Section Chief Marc Bontrager of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection suggested that steady progress is being made along the containment lines and in keeping the fire at "low intensity" in the wilderness areas to the northeast flank of the blaze.

"Crews continue mop up operations along the coastal side of the fire. Firefighters continue to look for and address areas of heat toward the Big Sur River," Cal Fire said in a morning update. "The fire remains south of the Big Sur River. There was minimal fire activity throughout the night. On the northern portion of the fire, firefighters will continue working to bring fire down to Highway 1 and secure containment lines."

The fire grew quickly in its initial stages, to 3,000 acres on Tuesday and 4,200 acres on Thursday, but growth was considerably slower over the weekend, growing by 700 acres between Friday and Monday.

Weather conditions are expected to remain favorable over the next couple of days, despite a broader warming trend, with the marine layer compressing along the coast.

Evacuation orders remain in place for five zones near the fire, and 500 structures remain under threat. No structure damage has been reported so far.

Previously: Timber Fire Expands to 2,000 Acres, Evacuations Ordered Along Big Sur Coast