Raging wildfire shuts California's Big Sur and Highway 1 at height of tourist season

At the height of the tourism season, California's Highway 1 on the central coast is closed because of a raging wildfire near Big Sur, with residents evacuated and luxury inns, restaurants and other tourism businesses shut down. Popular state parks also are closed.

Up in the heavily forested, rugged mountains above the highway, fire crews and monks of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center are clearing brush and bracing to fight the wildfire as it nears the rustic wood buildings of the isolated Buddhist retreat center.

Along the ocean highway, dozens of businesses have closed and more than 1,000 Big Sur residents have been evacuated as the Basin Complex fire, which began 11 days ago, burned out of control, blackening more than 60,000 acres of land, destroying almost 20 homes and threatening more. Guests have been evacuated from two luxury hotels in the Big Sur area, the Post Ranch Inn and the Ventana Inn and Spa. Other small lodgings, B&Bs and art galleries have closed just before the July 4 weekend, normally one of the busiest tourist weekends of the year.

Smoke and ash from the wildfire on some days has created haze in tourism-dependent communities along the coast such as the small town of Carmel. (Yet depending on which way the wind blows, Carmel and the nearby Carmel Valley also have had clear days.)

There's no estimate when Highway 1, one of the most scenic drives in the United States where the roadway twists along ocean cliffs, will reopen. About 30 miles of the narrow, winding highway is closed, from Limekiln State Park to Andrew Molera State Park. All state parks in the area are closed, including Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, a 2,000-acre coastal park near Big Sur. Access to national forestland in the area also is forbidden.

Other popular destinations along Highway 1 that have closed include Esalen, a retreat center where flames can be seen about a mile away, and the Nepenthe restaurant and store, a popular stop for drivers on Highway 1.

However, Hearst Castle, farther south on Highway 1, remains open for tours of the historic home. Travelers will have to approach from south, however, via Highway 101 since Highway 1 is closed north of Hearst Castle.

Kristin Jackson: kjackson@seattletimes.com