WILDFIRE IN YOSEMITE PARK!
Wildfire near Yosemite park sends
tourists fleeing
These residents can only watch and
hope the monstrous conflagration is stopped.
A
huge wildfire near Yosemite National Park in California has forced scores of
tourists to flee during peak season and is threatening thousands of homes.
The
week-old Rim Fire more than tripled in size on Thursday and now spans at least
84 square miles (217 sq km).
More
than 1,300 firefighters have been tackling the blaze in difficult terrain but
have contained only 1% of it.
California's
governor has declared a state of emergency because of the fire, one of 50
burning in the western US.
The
blaze has not reached Yosemite itself, which remains open, officials say.
But
it has shut a stretch of motorway that is one of three entrances to the west
side of the park, which receives up to 15,000 visitors a day in the summer.
'Busy' park
“We've
got a monster on our hands”
Lee Bentley US Forest Service
The
blaze is centred on Stanislaus National Forest, west of Yosemite, and has so
far destroyed two homes and seven outbuildings.
But
the authorities are warning that at least 2,500 homes, hotels, businesses and
several campsites are under threat.
Officials
have gone door-to-door in the summer community of Pine Mountain Lake urging
people to leave.
Local
residents said the area, normally teeming with tourists, is now empty.
"This
fire, it's killing our financial picture," restaurant owner Corinna Loh
told the Associated Press. "This is our high season and it has gone to
nothing, we're really hurting."
"We've
got a monster on our hands," Lee Bentley of the US Forest Service told CBS
News.
"This
fire is making its own weather. It's going every which direction. This is one
of the worst I've ever been on. I've been doing it for quite a few years."
The
area's steep hills and rugged terrain are hampering firefighters' efforts,
officials say. Extra firefighters are due to arrive on Friday.
Despite
the fire's proximity to Yosemite, spokesman Scott Gediman says the park is
clear of smoke, and all accommodation and attractions are open.
"The
fire is totally outside the park," he told the AP. "The park's very
busy, people are here. There's no reason that they should not come."
Meanwhile,
five wildfires in Yellowstone National Park have scorched about 18 square miles
of mostly remote areas.
Are
you near Yosemite National Park? Or have you had to flee the area? Please get
in touch using the comment box below.
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