Historic Landmark Threatened, 700+ Structures Destroyed, 10,000 Firefighters Deployed: Calif. Wildfire Latest

More than 10,000 men and women continue the firefight against a half-dozen large blazes in California, as this year's seemingly nonstop fire season continues.

There are a total of six major incidents in the state as of Monday, and Cal Fire officials say that "near normal temperatures" helped them gain ground over the weekend on many of them — as well as some smaller, new weekend fires.

Together, these fire have burned an estimated 737 structures and tens of thousands of acres of brush as of Monday morning, according to the most recent Cal Fire estimates.

Meanwhile, the so-called Chimney Fire continues to inch closer to the famed Hearst Castle, an historic mansion originally owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. The national monument built atop the hills near San Simeon was closed over the weekend and remained closed Monday until further notice, California Parks officials said. As of Monday, the fire was just about 2 miles from the site.

"Red Flag Warnings persist in Siskiyou and Modoc counties in northern California for gusty winds and low humidity," Cal Fire Spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff said Monday of the firefighting outlook. "A chance of thunderstorms remains in many of the mountainous regions of the state in the north and south, and temperatures will continue to be near normal ranges."

Cal Fire issues a daily report on the current fire situation in the state. Here is the agency's report from Monday, Aug. 22:

**CAL FIRE Incidents**

Clayton Fire, Lake County (more info…)
Off Hwy 29, Lower Lake area
•3,929 acres & 95% contained
•All evacuations have been lifted
•300 structures destroyed, 20 structures damaged

Chimney Fire, San Luis Obispo County (more info…)
South of Lake Nacimiento
•31,644 acres & 35% contained
•Evacuations in effect
•48 structures destroyed

**Unified Command Incidents**

Blue Cut Fire, San Bernardino County (more info…)
Off of I-15 in the Cajon Pass
•37,020 acres, 89% contained
•321 structures destroyed, 8 structures damaged

Rey Fire, Santa Barbara County (more info…)
Paradise Road, north of Santa Barbara
Unified Command: CAL FIRE, USFS and Santa Barbara County Fire
•23,546 acres & 20% contained
•Evacuations in effect

Soberanes Fire, Monterey County (more info…)
Big Sur area
Unified Command: CAL FIRE, USFS and Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
•86,294 acres & 60% contained
•Evacuations in effect
•68 structures destroyed including 57 residences

**Federal Incidents**

Cedar Fire, Kern County (more info…)
Northwest of Lake Isabella, Cedar Creek Campground
•19,629 acres, 5% contained
•Evacuations in effect

Image credit: U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest