California

Wildfire Near Yosemite Forces Evacuations

An evacuation order for 300 homes near Yosemite National Park remained in effect Saturday as firefighters battled a wildfire scorching about 300 acres in Central California.

Cal Fire reported that firefighters have contained about 25 percent of the blaze. The fire broke out Friday afternoon.

An additional 400 homes are being advised to evacuate. No damage has been reported. One minor injury was reported, but Cal Fire didn't provide details.

The area is about 15 miles southwest of Yosemite. A portion of state Route 49 that leads into the park has been closed.

There were also no reports on any immediate effects on the park.

Later Friday a second blaze broke out 15 miles to the south in the community of Oakhurst. Nearly 300 alert calls telling residents to evacuate were sent out, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Department said, but they were canceled when the blaze's progress was stopped at 5 acres.

Meanwhile in far northern California, a blaze that broke out nearly four weeks ago grew to nearly 130 square miles.

A red flag warning for dangerous fire conditions near that blaze was extended to Saturday night, but it has yet to damage any homes or buildings. It's 25 percent contained.

Some homes in the Happy Camp area were under evacuation orders, but it wasn't clear how many.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us