(Jerseydale) Firefighters have dramatically slowed the spread of a blaze burning near Yosemite National Park, but thousands of residents of mountainous communities were still under an evacuation order on Monday.
Posted at 11:18 a.m.
Firefighters have made “good progress” dealing with the Oak fire, according to the Cal Fire agency, which added that the flames were less “extreme” than in the past few days.
More than 2,500 firefighters supported by air tankers are battling the flames that started Friday near the town of Midpines in Mariposa County, southwest of the park.
The fire quickly spread through vegetation parched by the worst drought in decades.
PHOTO DAVID MCNEW, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The flames had incinerated 65 square kilometers of land as of Sunday evening and an investigation has been opened to try to elucidate the cause of the disaster.
Flames 15 meters high roared skyward near the small town of Jerseydale, as firefighters battled not only the fire, but also the difficult terrain, intense heat and low humidity.
Light winds blew embers, allowing the flames to spread.
PHOTO DAVID MCNEW, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Some 6,000 residents could be evacuated from the region, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Mariposa County.
At least ten residential and commercial structures were destroyed and five others damaged. Several roads were closed, including a portion of Highway 40 that leads to Yosemite Park.
More than 2,600 customers in the region were without power on Monday.
Firefighters also now have 87% control of the Washburn fire, which has been threatening Yosemite Park for two weeks and covers around twenty square kilometers.
California has seen bigger and deadlier wildfires in recent years, as global warming has made the West hotter and drier in the past 30 years. Scientists warn that weather events will continue to become more extreme and wildfires more destructive and unpredictable.