The fire began in the wilderness area found in the Little Yosemite Valley along the Merced River's north side. With an elevation of 8,000 feet, the place was hit by lightning on July 20 which started the fire. Park officials allowed the fire to burn in order to restore the natural fire patterns of the place. They said that the fire's slow pace coupled with the area's high elevation do not pose a threat to public safety.
Firefighters monitored and made sure that the fire is under control.
On Sunday, the fire, which had burned 19 acres within 49 days, suddenly grew and spread rapidly across the lower-lying forest areas. Officials have attributed the change to strong winds and high temperatures caused by California's drought.
"We had really aggressive winds today -- that was the big change," said Tim Ludington, the park's spokesperson. "We're shooting for full suppression."
More than 100 visitors, mostly hikers and climbers, were evacuated and were brought back to Yosemite Valley to keep them out of the fire's way. Some of them went to the park to climb the iconic Half Dome peak which hiking trails while six elite fire suppression crews and at least seven helicopters worked together to rises almost 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. They were airlifted from the park's campgrounds and control the blaze.
"The fire was getting very close to the trail to Half Dome and we didn't want to take the chance on people having to hike through the fire to get back," said Ludington.
The park remained open including all the roads that lead to it. However, several trails near Half Dome area, Merced River, the Little Yosemite Valley Area, Echo Valley, Clouds Rest and Sunrise High Sierra Camps were closed.
Ludington added that the fire does not pose a threat to any park roads or infrastructure. Everyone was successfully evacuated by at least 7pm.
Over 100 state, local and federal firefighters, six hotshot crews and several other groups joined the fight against the wildfire. These include the group from Santa Clara County, Yosemite National Park, the California Highway Patrol, Mariposa County Fire, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks and the U.S. Forest Service.
Not too far away, firefighters slowly gain the upper hand on a wildfire ravaging near the town of Mariposa which is around 15 miles southwest of the park. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the 300-acre blaze is now 70 percent contained and the evacuation order for the 300 homes is now lifted.
