JULY 26, 2022:
JERSEYDALE, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters have made more progress against a huge California forest fire that forced evacuations for thousands of people and destroyed 41 homes and other buildings near Yosemite National Park. Officials say crews battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County are getting a break from increased humidity levels Tuesday (July 26, 2022). After minimal growth Monday and overnight, the blaze had consumed more than 28 square miles of forest land. It’s 26% contained. About 6,000 residents from mountain communities are still under evacuation orders. The cause of the blaze, which started last Friday in Mariposa County, is under investigation.
JULY 25, 2022:
JERSEYDALE, Calif. (AP) — A destructive wildfire near Yosemite National Park is burning out of control and has grown into one of California’s biggest blazes of the year. Thousands of residents were ordered to flee remote mountain communities. Some 2,000 firefighters are battling the Oak Fire, contending with steep terrain and hot weather. The blaze erupted Friday (July 22, 2022) southwest of the park in Mariposa County. Cal Fire described “explosive fire behavior” on Saturday as flames made runs through bone-dry vegetation caused by the worst drought in decades. By Sunday the blaze had consumed more than 22 square miles of forest land. The cause is under investigation.
JULY 12, 2022:
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — California firefighters have gained ground against a wildfire that poses a threat to a famous grove of giant sequoias and a small community in Yosemite National Park. The Washburn Fire has scorched about 4.2 square miles but is 22% percent contained as of Monday night (July 11, 2022). The fire is a threat to more than 500 mature sequoias in the park’s Mariposa Grove. The grove is being protected by a sprinkler system and officials say that fortunately it has a long history of prescribed burning to reduce vegetation that can fuel flames.
JULY 8, 2022:
WAWONA, Calif. (AP) — Officials say part of Yosemite National Park has been closed as a wildfire rages near a grove of California’s famed giant sequoia trees. The fire quintupled in size from Thursday night (July 7, 2022) to Friday and forced park officials to close Mariposa Grove. It has the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and features more than 500 mature giant sequoias. The rest of the park is open. Firefighters are trying to contain the blaze from the ground and the air. Although sequoias are threatened by the flames, there have been no reports of severe damage to the grove’s giant named sequoias. Some park visitors had to be evacuated Thursday.
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