Containment on the Chimney Fire is still less than 40 percent but that could change overnight with cooler temperatures, calmer winds and the return of the marine layer over the burn area. The wildfire’s flames burned to within three miles of the iconic Hearst Castle, which was reportedly the inspiration for Xanadu in George Welle’s 1941 film “Citizen Kane”.
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The fire is 39 percent surrounded after being stuck at 35 percent for several days.
The Chimney Fire was threatening the community of Bryson Hesperia, which extends into both counties, Chimney Fire spokesman Bud Englund said.
The Chimney Fire is burning in a north to northeast direction toward hundreds of homes around Lake Nacimiento and beyond in southern Monterey County and away from Hearst Castle and San Simeon which remain threatened. The fire has been burning for a month and has consumed some 87,000 acres north of Big Sur.
Fire spokeswoman Karen Miranda says prospects aren’t good for opening the road anytime soon because the fire is burning along the highway, which leads to the South Entrance of Yellowstone.
Officials are urging any residents who still have not evacuated the area to do so immediately due to increasing fire activity. The cause remains under investigation.
Cal Fire’s Rich Eagan said Wednesday that the 10-day-old blaze has charred more than 60 square miles of dry brush and timber and destroyed 45 homes. The wildfire also threatens a Monterey County community.
That inferno has already consumed 53 structures and 37,101 acres in central California near the Hearst Castle, built by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, now a tourist attraction.
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On Tuesday, county supervisors also approved fire recovery guidelines for the Soberanes Fire created to establish an expedited permit process for those seeking to rebuild a structure or infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the fire, postpone permit fee payment until they can be covered by insurance carriers or waive them entirely if they aren’t covered by insurance, and make processing permits a top priority. So far, 27,000 acres have burned.
