The famed Esalen Institute is being evacuated as Big Sur's Timber Fire expands to 1,700 acres

The Esalen Institute, a renowned retreat center nestled along California's Big Sur coastline, is currently being evacuated due to the rapidly expanding Timber Fire. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images captured the fire's impact. The blaze has already scorched over 1,700 acres and is only 5% contained as of Monday evening, according to California fire officials.

The Esalen Institute, which boasts strong ties to Silicon Valley and its tech-savvy founders, announced its evacuation on Monday evening and will remain closed until the fire is fully contained. Dave Morin, the institute's chairman and a former Meta and Apple executive, expressed concern on X, stating, "We are evacuating @esalen and are closed until the fire is contained."

The Timber Fire, which ignited on Sunday, has been spreading through the challenging, rugged terrain of the Los Padres National Forest, affecting other popular destinations along California's scenic Highway 1. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the fire's origin remains under investigation.