California wildfire closes state parks

A wildfire was fouling the summer season on a beloved and scenic stretch of the California coast, where smoke and the threat of flames forced the closure of state parks near Big Sur.

The blaze that has destroyed 20 homes was burning inland over a ridge and was not for the most part visible on the Pacific Coast Highway, which remained open.

The Big Sur closures were put into place for parks that draw 7,500 visitors daily from around the world for their dramatic vistas of ocean and mountains.