The wildfire is approaching the historic landmark Hearst Castle where newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst once lived.
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The fire started at 4:05 p.m. August 13 at Running Deer and Chimney Rock roads south of Lake Nacimiento, Cal Fire officials said. Dry and drought stressed timber, chaparral, and grass in the steep inaccessible terrain continues to hamper firefighting efforts.
It has destroyed 52 structures, damaged seven and threatened 1,896 structures, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire San Luis Obispo Unit has received reports of illegal requests for donations for firefighters and advised that it does not and is not soliciting donations. The incident resulted in a two-inch laceration as well as a broken bone.
The Chimney fire has burned 37,101 and is now threatening several gated communities in the Nacimiento Lake area.
Orders are also in effect for these areas in San Luis Obispo County: Christmas Cove, Oak Shores, North Shore Boat and Ski, Laguna Vista, South Shore Lake San Antonio, Sapaqua Valley, and Bryson Hesperia on the SLO side. Any residents that have yet to respond to these orders are asked to do so immediately, due to increasing fire activity in the immediate area. All evacuation orders and warnings for these areas remain in place.
“As with all evacuation orders and warnings, these are implemented for the safety of the public and firefighters”, Cal Fire told residents.
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The Orange County Fire Authority has also sent personnel to fight the fire, which has burned within a few miles of Hearst Castle in San Simeon. “Please do your part”.
