600-Acre Fire in Yosemite National Park Is Contained
A roaring fire that charred about 600 acres of wilderness near Yosemite National Park’s scenic Glacier Point was contained Saturday after burning out of control for nearly two days.
About 200 firefighters, with the aid of two helicopters, battled the fire, which had covered Yosemite Valley with a blanket of reddish smoke, veiling the famous Half Dome granite formation. The fire was expected to be extinguished today, with the exception of a few hot spots.
National Park Service spokeswoman Marla LaCass said the blaze, which was first reported a few minutes after noon Friday, burned from the edge of cliffs above Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point Road, forcing rangers to close the road and several trails leading to a scenic overlook.
She said the fire posed no threat to park visitors, but several hundred people were evacuated from day-use areas in the vicinity Saturday.
Firefighters finally managed to contain the fire by burning around the blaze Saturday evening.
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