Chimney Fire Day 16: Hearst Castle will reopen for tours Monday

Though activity has slowed for the Chimney Fire burning in parts of San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties, officials warn that the coming week will be pivotal in determining when the fire will be fully contained.

The Chimney Fire has burned 45,108 acres and is 60 percent contained as of 7 p.m. Sunday. The number of threatened homes and buildings fell by about 1,700 on Sunday to 160. Hearst Castle, which for a little more than a week has been on the threatened structure list, will reopen Monday.

Cal Fire spokesman Jay Smith said lower and humid temperatures over the weekend helped strengthen containment lines around the tenacious fire, curtailing the spread of the flames. Because of the favorable conditions and positive projections regarding the status of the burn, the expected containment date is still Saturday, he said.

“We are cautiously optimistic that we will hit that day,” Smith said.

That could change early in the week, he said, as higher temperatures are expected to return to the Central Coast.

“Definitely we are going to be keeping an eye on it,” Smith said. “It’s Mother Nature, so we’ll have to take whatever she throws at us.”

Despite reaching more than 50 percent containment over the weekend, the 3,841 weary firefighters and personnel still assigned to the fire will likely have to wait until lower temperatures return before many are released from fighting the blaze, he said.

Smith said the fire is still burning along its northwestern edge in Los Padres National Forest, where a treacherous steep terrain has given the fire plenty of room to burn. That area is filled with perfect fuel for a fire, he said: dry, heavy brush and dead trees from years of drought and plant disease.

Meanwhile to the south, Hearst Castle and its infrastructure were removed from the threatened structures list after a little more than a week of worry that the flames would reach the historic building and its priceless art collection.

State Parks announced Sunday afternoon that Hearst Castle would reopen for regular tours starting Monday.

“Thank you to the many firefighters, other public agencies, and community partners who worked tirelessly to help protect Hearst Castle and its surroundings,” officials said in a news release. “The department would also like to thank the public for their patience as it collectively responded to this emergency.”

This story was originally published August 28, 2016 at 7:36 AM with the headline "Chimney Fire Day 16: Hearst Castle will reopen for tours Monday."