In San Luis Obispo County, the Chimney Fire is now 27,546 acres and 35 percent contained. The fire has destroyed 48 structures and another 1,032 are threatened -- including Hearst Castle. Cal Fire reports that fire behavior remained extreme Sunday.
Update August 21 6:27 p.m.: (AP) - Authorities have lifted all evacuation orders for residents affected by a Southern California wildfire that drove thousands from their homes.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department made the announcement Sunday afternoon.
Residents must show proof of residency to return, and some may come back to a home without electricity as crews continue to work on restoring utilities.
About 82,000 people were ordered to leave their properties on Tuesday when the fire broke out 60 miles east of Los Angeles.
Most of those residents are returning to find their homes intact, though not all. A preliminary damage assessment found 105 homes and 216 outbuildings destroyed.
The Rey Fire burning in the Los Padres National Forest north of Santa Barbara continued to grow overnight, and is now 10 percent contained at 18,839 acres.
The Chimney Fire burning south of Lake Nacimiento in San Luis Obispo County grew overnight as well, to 24,096 acres. It remains 35 percent contained. It has destroyed 48 structures.
In San Bernardino County, firefighters continue to make progress on the Blue Cut Fire, which is now 37,020 acres and 83 percent contained. The fire has destroyed 318 structures.
The Soberanes Fire in Monterey County remains 60 percent contained at 85,212 acres.
The Cedar Fire in Kern County is 17,986 acres and 5 percent contained.
More information on firefighting progress and evacuations:
- Clayton Fire, Lake County
- Rey Fire, Santa Barbara County
- Chimney Fire, San Luis Obisbo County
- Blue Cut Fire, San Bernardino County
- Soberanes Fire, Monterey County
- Cedar Fire, Kern County
Statewide Fire Map for Sunday, Aug 21 #BlueCutFire #CedarFire #ChimneyFire #ReyFire #SoberanesFire pic.twitter.com/nIjn1QwwJO
— Cal OES (@Cal_OES) August 21, 2016
Update August 20 5:30 p.m. -- Chimney Fire: (AP) -- A growing wildfire in central California has forced the closure of the historic Hearst Castle.
Fire officials say the blaze was about 3 1/2 miles from the hilltop estate on Saturday.
Cal Fire spokesman Mike Yuli says a wind shift caused the fire to cross a containment line Saturday afternoon, leading authorities to issue an evacuation warning to two communities north of Lake Nacimiento, about 180 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The fire has burned more than 26 square miles and is 33 percent contained.
A California State Parks spokeswoman says Hearst Castle stopped giving tours because of heavy smoke. She said the state agency has a fire management plan and emergency plan in place to protect the landmark.
A popular tourist attraction along the Central Coast, the castle houses a large art collection belonging to media magnate William Randolph Hearst.
Fire activity on the #ChimneyFire in San Luis Obispo County has increased. 17,000 acres & 33% contained. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/DnoyCIchhp
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) August 20, 2016
2 of 2 - Addtional evacuation warnings called due to #ChimneyFire for Bryson Hesperia, Mas Cove & Oak Shores. pic.twitter.com/cJi0fXMZQg
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) August 20, 2016
Original Post August 20 9:35 a.m.: More than 10,000 firefighters are currently battling 6 large wildfires throughout California.
Showing progress on Statewide Fire Map #BlueCutFire #CedarFire #ChimneyFire #ClaytonFire #ReyFire #SoberanesFire pic.twitter.com/eTRua07DLz
— Cal OES (@Cal_OES) August 20, 2016
Clayton Fire Approaching Full Containment
The Clayton Fire that destroyed nearly 200 homes in Lake County is now 80 percent contained at 3,929 acres. Since Friday, all evacuations have been lifted.
#ClaytonFire [update] Lower Lake area (Lake County) is now 3,929 acres and 80% contained. https://t.co/HkmjMdAKyR pic.twitter.com/tMoS8Tq7yZ
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 20, 2016
Crews Gain Ground On Blue Cut Fire
Firefighters continue to make progress containing the Blue Cut Fire that grew aggressively in San Bernardino County beginning August 16. It is now 37,020 acres and 68 percent contained.
Cal Fire reports the blaze has destroyed 105 single family homes and 213 outbuildings.
#BlueCutFire [update] N of San Bernardino (San Bernardino Co) now 37,020 acres & 68% cont. https://t.co/I8T8YeiGpz pic.twitter.com/opj5hKd1lW
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 20, 2016
Containment Steady On Soberanes Fire
In Monterey County, the Soberanes Fire remains 60 percent contained at 83,830 acres. It has destroyed 57 homes and 11 other structures.
Cal Fire expects to be battling the fire, which began July 22, through the end of the month.
#SoberanesFire [update] near Big Sur (Monterey County) is now 83,830 acres & 60% contained. https://t.co/U1WOhdq85A pic.twitter.com/WRxkmeMVsR
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 20, 2016
Fires Burning In San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Kern County
The Chimney Fire burning in San Luis Obispo County south of Lake Nacimiento is now 15,439 acres and 35 percent contained. It has destroyed 46 structures.
#ChimneyFire [update] S of Lake Nacimiento (San Luis Obispo Co) now 15,439 acres & 35% cont https://t.co/DD71SpKmSL pic.twitter.com/jmFisPT6Mw
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 20, 2016
The Rey Fire, which began Thursday north of Santa Barbara and continues to burn along the edge of the Los Padres National Forest, is now 10 percent contained at 10,732 acres.
#ReyFire [update] N of Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Co) now 10,732 acres & 10% contained. https://t.co/qck1pyy32J pic.twitter.com/GKNXNC5yHP
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 20, 2016
In Kern County, the Cedar Fire is now 14,543 acres and 5 percent contained.
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.