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Wildfire Updates: Clayton Fire Nearly Contained, Rey And Chimney Fires Grow

Saturday, August 20, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Melissa Bosworth / Capital Public Radio

A truck carries replacement telephone poles in Lower Lake, California, on August 17, 2016.

Melissa Bosworth / Capital Public Radio

Update August 21 8:13 p.m.: Firefighters continue to make progress containing the Blue Cut Fire burning in San Bernardino County, which is now 85 percent contained at 37,020 acres. All evacuations were lifted Sunday afternoon.
The Clayton Fire that destroyed 300 structures - including 189 homes - in Lake County is now 3,929 acres and remains 95 percent contained.
The Rey Fire in Santa Barbara County is 21,172 acres and 20 percent contained.

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.
 
Update August 21 9:40 a.m. -- The Clayton Fire that burned hundreds of structures in Lake County is now 95 percent contained at 3,929 acres.

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:

 

 

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.

Original Post August 20 9:35 a.m.: More than 10,000 firefighters are currently battling 6 large wildfires throughout California.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

In Kern County, the Cedar Fire is now 14,543 acres and 5 percent contained.

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