Star Staff
As the summer was winding down and people were taking one last vacation before the school season starts this month, some Santa Ynez Valley residents either have a vacation home or love to spend time camping at Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles.
“Standing on our deck watching the other side of the lake burn is heartbreaking. Prayers and gratitude for all of the firefighters and deep sympathy to those who have lost their homes,” said Paula Parisotto, a valley resident and Santa Ynez Valley Star Columnist who was at the lake when the fire broke out.
The Chimney Fire incident broke out Saturday and blew up overnight from 800 acres to now roughly 4,300 acres and is at 10 percent containment, according to local officials.
More than 250 homes in the communities of Tri-County, Cal Shasta, Ranchos del Lago and South Shore Village have been evacuated and Cal Fire has updated the numbers to 20 homes have been lost due to the fire.
Residents in those areas are now being evacuated to the water’s edge and then picked up by boat to be escorted to Oak Shores across the lake.
The Red Cross has an evacuation center at Flamson Middle School, located at 24th and Spring Streets in Paso Robles. Anyone needing assistance should call 805-250-1533.
For Chimney Fire incident information from San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services call 543-2444.
