Hikers Evacuated as Fire Continues to Burn in Yosemite National Park

Approximately 100 hikers were evacuated by emergency helicopter on Sunday due to a wildfire which has been burning for a few weeks, but suddenly began to grow furiously to an estimated 700 acres. Firefighters had previously been able to control the fire, which was sparked by lightening just several weeks ago. High temperatures and strong winds are the responsible culprits for the rapidly growing spot fire. The park’s chief of roads and trails, Tim Ludington, is quoted saying, “We just got unbelievable crazy winds and unexpected hot conditions. The fire behavior totally changed. There is a huge plume.” He also expects the wildfire to continue growing.

Part of the fire which started on Friday threatened an estimated 700 families and homes and several business, according to authorities. The majority of the evacuation notices and road closures have been lifted, but the authorities remain on alert in the event of further threat caused from the escalating fire in the Yosemite National Park region.

Thankfully, there has been no recorded damage to any structures, deaths or civilian injuries due to the ongoing fires. At least one firefighter has been reported as receiving minor injuries on Friday, but it is said that he is currently at home and has received treatment.

All roads leading to, and Yosemite national park itself, remain open. The fire is spreading along at a 7,000 foot elevation. Several trails near Merced Lake, and Yosemite’s iconic landmark the Half Dome, and some of the nearby camps, have been closed until further notice.

Residents in the area have also received an evacuation preparation notice. Although they haven’t been asked to leave their homes, they have been warned to be ready in the event that they must.

Gary Wuchner of the Park Service has said that there is currently 1 air tanker carrying an estimated 1,000 gallons of fire retardant, four Type 1 helicopters carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of water, and three Type 2 helicopters each carrying 200-gallon buckets fighting the fire full force in hopes of putting it out entirely.

According to spokes woman Karen Guillemin-Kanawyer of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, right now the fire is moving in a southeastern trajectory towards the Sierra National Forest. Forest Service officials also estimate that approximately 2,700 people have been used to fight the fire, and there has been an estimated $54.7 million spent fighting the fire.