Wildfire forces officials to close California 120 near Yosemite
A wildfire raging out of control in the Stanislaus National Forest has forced authorities to close a major highway leading into Yosemite National Park, officials said Monday night.
California 120 was closed from four miles east of Buck Meadows to four miles west of Groveland Ranger Station, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The Rim fire had burned about 800 acres in rugged, steep terrain.
Authorities with the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department were evacuating residents from campgrounds in the area, including Buck Meadows, fire officials said.
The blaze jumped California 120 and and was burning in the Pilot Ridge area southeast of Buck Meadows.
Earlier Monday, more than 160 firefighters were battling the blaze. They were being assisted by four helicopters and several fixed-wing aircraft.
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Twitter: @LAJournorobert.lopez@latimes.com
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