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Massive Southern California fire almost contained; evacuations lifted

A plane drops a load of fire retardant on the north side of Beacon Hill, Sunday, Aug 21, 2016, in Spokane, Wash.

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A wildfire burning in northern San Luis Obispo County grew to more than 27,000 acres Sunday, while the number of structures threatened jumped from 332 to 1,032. However, more than 105 homes and 213 buildings have been destroyed, according to KABC-TV in Los Angeles. The fire has destroyed 57 homes and charred 133 square miles, Cal Fire said.

Colligan said Monday that although the castle did not appear to be under immediate threat by the fire, crews were well aware that winds can change quickly. The largest fire has burned about 42 square miles between West Yellowstone, Montana, and Madison Junction.

The Chimney fire ignited about a week ago and has torn through parched timber and grass in the area.

A road opened Saturday after crews cleared trees and rocks that fell on the pavement after the fire moved through.

The Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane reported at least two other wildfires have erupted in eastern Washington, one of which has scorched about 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares) in Franklin County, about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Spokane.

Officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the 19,000-acre Rey Fire in southern California is just 10 per cent contained.

In just one week, these five fires – fueled by high temperatures, strong winds and years of drought – destroyed almost 100,000 acres.

“Our efforts, combined with the weather, are contributing to the delay of the fire’s movement”, said Stephen Hearst, vice president and general manager of Hearst’s Western Properties, referring to ranch staff members working with Cal Fire.

Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. But Horton knows it’s most important to evacuated residents, which is why his main goal is accuracy.

The fire has burned 27,546 acres and was 35 percent contained as of Sunday evening.

Travelers coming from the south can still access Yellowstone through Idaho and the park’s West Entrance.

Most of those residents are returning to find their homes intact, though not all.

— TO HELP THE VICTIMS of the fire, Inland Empire United Way has established a Fire Relief Fund in collaboration with other community and nonprofit partners for the collection of financial donations.

Hearst Castle was closed over the weekend, though officials say the fire is growing in the opposite direction of the popular tourist attraction.

The destructive and rapid blaze started on the morning of 16 August, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. It had burned more than 10 square miles and destroyed at least five homes, officials said.

It roared toward the town of Wellpinit, forcing the evacuation of the entire town on Sunday. The town also lost power, making the battle by firefighters more hard.

Along the coast, the Chimney fire is threatening the historic Hearst Castle in central California.

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“It’s terrible, ’cause I know every button in that restaurant that was there, every light switch, every pipe”.

Image A helicopter flies past Hearst Castle