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Wildfire Near Hearst Castle Scorches 68 Square Miles

SAN SIMEON, San Luis Obispo County (CBS / AP) – Authorities say more than 1,800 homes are threatened by a destructive wildfire that continues to grow on California's central coast.

Cal Fire said Thursday that the blaze has charred more than 68 square miles of dry brush and timber and destroyed 48 homes.

The fire was 39 percent surrounded and at least 2,400 people are under evacuation orders in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.

The popular tourist attraction Hearst Castle remains closed because of its proximity to the flames.

A fire burning for more than a month north of Big Sur grew again to nearly 142 square miles. Hundreds of homes remain threatened by the fire in rugged wilderness coast along Highway 1. The blaze was sparked by an illegal campfire. It remains 60 percent contained.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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