SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — A growing wildfire in central California has forced the closure of the historic Hearst Castle.
Fire officials say the blaze was about 3 ½ miles from the hilltop estate on Saturday.
Cal Fire spokesman Mike Yuli says a wind shift caused the fire to cross a containment line Saturday afternoon, leading authorities to issue an evacuation warning to two communities north of Lake Nacimiento, about 180 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The fire has burned more than 26 square miles and is 33 percent contained.
A California State Parks spokeswoman says Hearst Castle stopped giving tours because of heavy smoke. She said the state agency has a fire management plan and emergency plan in place to protect the landmark.
A popular tourist attraction along the Central Coast, the castle houses a large art collection belonging to media magnate William Randolph Hearst.