Central Coast fire destroys 34 homes, forces closure of Hearst Castle
A wildfire burning in San Luis Obispo County has destroyed at least 48 structures, forced as many as 1,100 residents to evacuate, and caused the closure of Hearst Castle on Sunday, fire officials said.
The 24,000-acre blaze, called the Chimney Fire, ignited about a week ago and is burning through parched timber and grass in steep terrain.
The fire was about 3 miles from the historic Hearst estate late Saturday, and the blaze grew by 1,000 acres overnight, said information officer Kenichi Haskett of Cal Fire.
Hearst Castle, a popular tourist attraction in San Simeon along the Central Coast, first closed Saturday due to heavy smoke from the Chimney Fire.