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

The Esalen Institute is evacuating because of the Timber Fire. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Timber Fire led to the evacuation of California's Esalen Institute. Esalen has strong ties to Silicon Valley and tech founders. The fire had expanded to over 1,700 acres and was 5% contained as of Monday evening. The Esalen Institute is being evacuated as the rapidly growing Timber Fire threatens the region. Dave Morin, chairman of the famed retreat center perched along California's Big Sur coastline, said Monday that the retreat was evacuating and would remain closed for the time being. "Pray for Big Sur and the Timber Fire. It appears to be doubling every 6 hours. We are evacuating @esalen and are closed until the fire is contained," Morin wrote on X.