Update posted Aug. 29, 6 a.m.

Tours begin again starting Monday, Aug. 29

– The California Department of Parks and Recreation will reopen Heart San Simeon State Historical Monument on Monday Aug. 29, 2016. All tour operations will return to normal on this date.

On Aug. 13, 2016 the Chimney Fire broke out near Lake Nacimiento in San Luis Obispo County. To date the fire has burned approximately 45,844 acres and is currently 61-percent contained. Click here for current fire status. 

From Aug. 20 through 28, Hearst Castle was closed due to the proximity of the Chimney Fire and active firefighting efforts.

Update posted Aug. 22, 6 a.m. 

–Hearst Castle will remain closed Monday, according to officials at the California State Park.

The unexpected closure is due to the approaching threat of the Chimney Fire, burning in the direction of the castle from North West Paso Robles. The flames are now reportedly less than three miles from the castle, and about 400 firefighters are working to secure a containment line about 2 miles east of the castle.

Click here for an update on the Chimney Fire. 

Original story posted Aug. 20, 2 p.m.

Approaching fire forces closure of Hearst Castle

–Officials at Hearst Castle closed the mountain-top tourist destination Saturday morning while the Chimney Fire, which started near Lake Nacimiento, is approaching. The fire is within a few miles of the castle, said an official at the state park.

The closure was unexpected, as fire fighters have been working all week on a fire break to protect the castle, an official said.

Those who bought tickets to tour California’s most-visited state park are being refunded, the official said. The visitors center at the bottom of the hill is still open and showing movies.

The castle is expected to be closed Sunday as well, the official said.