Yosemite Fire: Flames Reach National Park; Nearby Homes In Danger

The wildfire that’s been blazing near Yosemite has finally reached the national park in central eastern California and threatens to burn to nearby neighborhoods.

The fire, which has nearly doubled its size in a day’s time, is now flaring across 165 square-miles, reported CBS News. Now that it has spread from Stanislaus National Forest into Yosemite, the smoke could become an issue for those on the park grounds. Although it had burned 11,000 acres of Yosemite, the fire has not gotten near Yosemite Valley – the area of the national park most frequented by tourists, according to Park Ranger Kari Cobb.

Of more concern is the fire’s western trajectory, which could bring it towards the communities of Groveland and Pine Mountain Lake. Already, parts of Groveland have been evacuated in anticipation of the wildfire reaching the small mountain town. Thousands of structures, including homes, could be at risk if the fire remains largely unchecked. As of now, the blaze is only 2% contained, reports CNN.

The Rim Fire ignited due to an unknown cause sometime on Saturday afternoon in Stanislaus National Forest in an area west of Yosemite National Park, reported the San Francisco Chronicle. Since then, over 1,800 firefighters have been working to control the blaze both on the ground and via aircrafts.

– Chelsea Regan

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