Hearst Castle Closed due to nearby Chimney Fire
Aug 20, 2016, 7:21 pm
#1
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Hearst Castle Closed due to nearby Chimney Fire
Los Angeles Times:
Hearst Castle threatened by fast-moving Chimney Fire
<snip>
The fire was headed toward the national historic landmark and the leading edge was just two miles away, said Emily Hjortstorp, Cal Fire spokeswoman. Crews are expecting winds of up to 20 miles per hour, but the fire isn’t traveling especially fast, she said.
Bulldozers, trucks and firefighters are digging containment lines around the castle, Hjorstorp said. No evacuation orders have been issued for the area, she said.
<snip>
The Chimney fire erupted on Aug. 13 near Lake Nacimiento. The blaze has destroyed 46 buildings and damaged seven more. while 232 other structures, including Hearst Castle, lie in its path. The fire is 35% contained.
<snip>
The attraction was closed Saturday because of the fire and all public tours canceled, according to the castle’s reservation center. Its website said the castle was closed until further notice.
<snip>
The fire was headed toward the national historic landmark and the leading edge was just two miles away, said Emily Hjortstorp, Cal Fire spokeswoman. Crews are expecting winds of up to 20 miles per hour, but the fire isn’t traveling especially fast, she said.
Bulldozers, trucks and firefighters are digging containment lines around the castle, Hjorstorp said. No evacuation orders have been issued for the area, she said.
<snip>
The Chimney fire erupted on Aug. 13 near Lake Nacimiento. The blaze has destroyed 46 buildings and damaged seven more. while 232 other structures, including Hearst Castle, lie in its path. The fire is 35% contained.
<snip>
The attraction was closed Saturday because of the fire and all public tours canceled, according to the castle’s reservation center. Its website said the castle was closed until further notice.
<snip>
Aug 20, 2016, 7:28 pm
#2
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This is probably not a good time to drive in that area.
Aug 22, 2016, 8:36 am
#3
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While the Castle will likely be closed until they get firm lines established, it appears the fire is taking a north by northwest move so confidence is pretty high that there will be no fight to save it. I listened in on the air tankers last night as they connected retardant lines in the castle vicinity as their last job before heading to base. The overnight IR runs showed only minimal advance on those areas and very few intense heat areas.
Latest fire activity/action map from this morning's briefing:
Latest fire activity/action map from this morning's briefing: