Forest Fire Rages by Yosemite

Hundreds evacuated, homes destroyed in blaze
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 28, 2008 4:42 AM CDT
Forest Fire Rages by Yosemite
A forest fire is blazing near Yosemite, but thus far the park has stayed open.   (AP Photo/National Geographic Channel)

Hundreds of people have been evacuated and 12 homes destroyed as a forest fire rages out of control near Yosemite National Park, the Sacramento Bee reports. The fire, which began Friday, has burned 26,000 acres of forest, including the Mariposa County foothills that serve as the gateway to the famous park. Thousands of firefighters are battling the blaze, apparently ignited by a stray bullet in target practice.

The fire is only 10% contained. "It was a firestorm," said one resident who lost his home to the flames. The smoke was "so thick we had to use our headlights," said his mother. "It was like night." One firefighter said the blaze was "making a big run" with "fire whirls, high temperatures and sheeting" up steep terrain.  (More California stories.)

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