Spreading California wildfire around Yosemite feeds on dry vegetation
The Rim Fire burns just outside
Yosemite National Park, California, on Saturday August 24, 2013. The
fire had consumed nearly 126,000 acres as of Saturday and has moved into
a remote area of the park.
Smoke and flames move along a ridge just outside Yosemite National Park on August 24.
Smoke and flames move along a ridge just outside Yosemite National Park on August 24.
El Dorado Hills
firefighters work to douse a hotspot in Yosemite National Park on August
24. Nearly 3,000 firefighters are attempting to bring the fast-moving
fire under control.
El Dorado Hills
firefighters work to douse a hotspot in Yosemite National Park on August
24. Nearly 3,000 firefighters are attempting to bring the fast-moving
fire under control.
A firefighter douses a spot fire, as he battles the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park in California.
A firefighter douses a spot fire, as he battles the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park in California.
Firefighters move in to douse a spot fire on August 24.
Firefighters move in to douse a spot fire on August 24.
A cow walks through a
section of forest that was scorched by the Rim Gire outside of Camp
Mather on August 24, near Groveland, California.
A cow walks through a
section of forest that was scorched by the Rim Gire outside of Camp
Mather on August 24, near Groveland, California.
A truck sits scorched outside of Yosemite National Park on August 24.
A truck sits scorched outside of Yosemite National Park on August 24.
Some 2,600 of firefighters were battling the out-of-control Rim Fire on August 24.
Some 2,600 of firefighters were battling the out-of-control Rim Fire on August 24.
Smoke and flame blot out the horizon as the Rim Fire approaches Yosemite Lake near Groveland, California on Friday, August 23.
Smoke and flame blot out the horizon as the Rim Fire approaches Yosemite Lake near Groveland, California on Friday, August 23.
Charred siding is all that remains of a building consumed by the fire.
Charred siding is all that remains of a building consumed by the fire.
Flames eat up trees as the fire continues to burn out of control on August 23.
Flames eat up trees as the fire continues to burn out of control on August 23.
A coyote walks across U.S. Highway 120, shut down due to the fire, near Groveland, California, on August 23.
A coyote walks across U.S. Highway 120, shut down due to the fire, near Groveland, California, on August 23.
Smoke from the Rim Fire is seen near Hardin Flat outside Yosemite National Park on August 23.
Smoke from the Rim Fire is seen near Hardin Flat outside Yosemite National Park on August 23.
A firefighting crew puts out a spot fire that jumped a fire line in Yosemite National Park on August 23.
A firefighting crew puts out a spot fire that jumped a fire line in Yosemite National Park on August 23.
The fire approaches the border of Yosemite National Park on August 23.
The fire approaches the border of Yosemite National Park on August 23.
Giant plumes of smoke rise up from the Rim Fire near the border of Yosemite National Park on August 23.
Giant plumes of smoke rise up from the Rim Fire near the border of Yosemite National Park on August 23.
A firefighter from
Cosumnes Fire Department monitors a back fire while battling the Rim
Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
A firefighter from
Cosumnes Fire Department monitors a back fire while battling the Rim
Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
The Rim Fire has
burned 105,620 acres, spreading from Stanislaus National Forest to part
of Yosemite, Forest Service on Friday, August 23, spokesman Bjorn
Fredrickson said.
The Rim Fire has
burned 105,620 acres, spreading from Stanislaus National Forest to part
of Yosemite, Forest Service on Friday, August 23, spokesman Bjorn
Fredrickson said.
An air tanker drops
fire retardant on a ridge ahead of the advancing Rim Fire on August 22,
in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control
and has entered Yosemite National Park.
An air tanker drops
fire retardant on a ridge ahead of the advancing Rim Fire on August 22,
in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control
and has entered Yosemite National Park.
A firefighter from
the Colorado-based South Arkansas Fire District carries a hose as he
monitors the Rim Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
A firefighter from
the Colorado-based South Arkansas Fire District carries a hose as he
monitors the Rim Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
Los Angeles County firefighters hike in on a fire line on the Rim Fire near Groveland, California, on August 22.
Los Angeles County firefighters hike in on a fire line on the Rim Fire near Groveland, California, on August 22.
A Tuolumne County sheriff's deputy looks at an incident map of the Rim Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
A Tuolumne County sheriff's deputy looks at an incident map of the Rim Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
The Rim Fire burns close to Groveland Ranger Station near Yosemite National Park, California, on August 22.
The Rim Fire burns close to Groveland Ranger Station near Yosemite National Park, California, on August 22.
A Marin County
firefighter works to put out a spot fire that jumped a fire line on the
Rim Fire near Groveland, California, August 22.
A Marin County
firefighter works to put out a spot fire that jumped a fire line on the
Rim Fire near Groveland, California, August 22.
Sunlight filters through smoke in a grove of trees burned by the Rim Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
Sunlight filters through smoke in a grove of trees burned by the Rim Fire on August 22, in Groveland, California.
Smoke from the Rim
Fire is visible near the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on August 22, in
Yosemite National Park, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out
of control and entered Yosemite National Park on Friday.
Smoke from the Rim
Fire is visible near the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir on August 22, in
Yosemite National Park, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out
of control and entered Yosemite National Park on Friday.
- B&B owners prepare for possible evacuation
- "We are the No. 1 priority in the country"
- One entrance to Yosemite National Park is closed
- Rim Fire has burned around 126,000 acres in California
"This fire is very
dynamic," said Tina Rose, spokeswoman for the multiagency incident
command. "The access to the fire has been hampering us. It is so
difficult to get into those canyons."
Firefighters were buoyed
by the fact that winds appeared to have died down a bit and the massive
Rim Fire's rate of growth has slowed. The fire had doubled in size from
Thursday to Friday, and the total loss stood at nearly 126,000 acres
early Saturday evening, much of it in Stanislaus National Forest.
The blaze, which remained 5% contained, was spreading primarily to the east.
Yosemite fire spreading
Rim Fire rages into Yosemite
While the Rim Fire has
consumed 12,000 acres in the northwest section of Yosemite National
Park, so far it has had little or no direct impact on Yosemite Valley, a popular spot for tourists and home to many of the famous cliffs and waterfalls in the park.
"Skies are beautiful," park spokesman Scott Gediman told CNN at midday. "It is a crystal clear blue sky in Yosemite Valley."
Still, the park has seen a few cancellations and one western entrance was closed.
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday issued a state of emergency in the San Francisco area because of threats to utilities.
"The San Francisco Public Utilities has been forced to shut down transmission lines," he said in a statement.
Much of San Francisco's
water comes from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which lies within Yosemite
and is just east of the fire. There was good news on that front
Saturday, as officials said there was no effect on the water quality and
delivery.
About 4,500 structures, many of them vacation homes, were under threat, according to InciWeb, a federal website that collects information from agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Firefighters have been hampered by a lack of moisture from the sky and on the ground.
"The wind today is going
to be better for firefighting, but we are still dealing with bone dry
grass and brush," Rose said Saturday.
Lee Bentley of the U.S. Forest Service said crews were making progress, but "it is going to be awhile."
Eight fixed-wing aircraft and 10 helicopters were aiding the effort.
"We are the No. 1 priority in the country," said Bentley. "We are getting what we need."
The command center said a major effort was aimed at holding the fire east of the north fork of the Tuolumne River.
"Additional efforts are
focused on the eastern edge of the fire in Yosemite National Park to
minimize impacts to our national treasure," it said in a statement.
In a tinder box, but scenery is wonderful
The inferno threatened the Yosemite gateway communities of Groveland and Pine Mountain Lake just outside the Stanislaus Forest.
"It's crazy, and it has been for five days," Kirsten Lennon, whose home is threatened, told CNN affiliate KCRA on Friday. "Your heart's racing a little faster."
Joe Riley, co-owner of
the log-construction Cub Inn in Groveland, has canceled tourist
reservations until next weekend. The last remaining guest leaves Sunday.
"We are on a voluntary
evacuation order," Riley told CNN on Saturday afternoon. "If things get
bad or we get a direct order, we have everything packed, all the
pictures off the wall, and all the documents and business records."
The loss of business at
the height of the season, and possible cancellations into September, may
cost the inn between $10,000 and $20,000, he said.
The closure of the
Yosemite entrance on U.S. Highway 120 West means tourists coming through
the community must drive an extra hour to get into the park.
People in the community generally are handling the situation pretty well, though many have evacuated, Riley said.
"I understand we are in a tinder box and it is risky," he said. "But it is beautiful."
The Tuolumne County
Sheriff's Department, meanwhile, issued evacuation advisories for the
town of Tuolumne and nearby Ponderosa Hill, according to InciWeb. It was
not clear how many residents were covered by the evacuation advisory.
Residents of Pine
Mountain Lake and another area were to be allowed to return home
beginning Saturday evening. Fire crews strengthened lines above Pine
Mountain Lake, a resort neighborhood.
"Be advised that areas
burned by the Rim Fire may still pose hazards," an advisory said.
"Fire-weakened trees, burning stump holes and large fire apparatus may
be present. Entry into the burned areas is strongly discouraged."
Authorities say the Rim Fire started on August 17. The cause is under investigation.
Gediman, of Yosemite
National Park, said the Rim Fire's impact was restricted to the entrance
closure at Highway 120 West and a backcountry section used by hikers.
Temperatures were a little cooler Saturday than on Friday, he said.
The park typically has
15,000 visitors on a busy summer weekend. August sees an influx of
visitors from other countries, a few of whom have called to check on
conditions.
Still, there's little indication so far it's keeping many people away.
Ranger programs went on as normal Saturday and campgrounds were full.
"If somebody cancels, there are 10 people that will take their spot," said Gediman.
Yosemite, with hundreds
of campground sites and lodging units, had nearly 4 million visitors
last year, according to the National Park Service.
Former
Bayern Munich defender Breno was sentenced to three years and nine
months in prison in July 2012 for burning down his villa.
The Brazilian looked to have a bright career ahead of him when Bayern signed him from Sao Paulo in 2008.
Breno,
pictured here taking on Argentina's Sergio Aguero, was part of Brazil's
squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He and he teammates battled their
way to a bronze medal in China.
In
July 2012, Breno was convicted of second-degree arson and ordered to
serve three-and-a-half years at a correctional facility in Stadelheim.
This
week he was back at Bayern. Breno will work with the club's young
players while on day release from prison. He will almost certainly face
deportation when he is released from prison, according to Bayern
president Uli Hoeness, but Breno hopes to rebuild his playing career in
Brazil.
Argen Robben signals the opening goal of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season as Bayern Munich eased to a first day win.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Moenchengladbach saves a penalty from Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich.
David
Alaba celebrates scoring his side's clinching third goal from the
penalty spot in the 3-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Montpellier's
French midfielder Remy Cabella celebrates his opening goal of the Ligue
1 campaign against reigning champions Paris St German.
Maxwell picks up the ball after scoring PSG's equalizer in their first Ligue 1 match of the season at Montepellier.
Bayern
Munich players lift the trophy as they celebrate winning the UEFA
Champions League final after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley
Stadium in London on Saturday, May 25.
Bayern Munich's midfielder Arjen Robben celebrates scoring the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Head Coach Jupp Heynckes is carried by his players after winning the UEFA Champions League final.
Arjen
Robben of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring the winning goal
against Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League final at
Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, May 25. Bayern defeated Dortmund
2-1.
Head
Coach Jurgen Klopp, right, of Borussia Dortmund consoles his players
after losing to Bayern Munich in the championship match.
Bayern players celebrate after match play was completed.
Dortmund players lie on the field in defeat after losing to Bayern 2-1.
Arjen Robben, left, of Bayern Munich challenges Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund for the ball.
Bayern Munich's striker Mario Mandzukic, left, scores the opening goal of the match.
Ilkay Gundogan of Borussia Dortmund, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring on a penalty kick to tie the game 1-1.
Bayern Munich supporters light flares in the stands during the game.
Bayern
Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery, center, talks with Borussia
Dortmund's striker Robert Lewandowski after a penalty was called.
Mario
Mandzukic of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring a goal against
Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley
Stadium in London on May 25.
Borussia
Dortmund's midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, left, vies with Bayern
Munich's defender Jerome Boateng during the UEFA Champions League final
at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, May 25.
Dortmund's goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller makes a save against Bayern during the first half.
Borussia Dortmund's Polish midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, center, reacts after missing a goal against Dortmund.
Robert Lewandowski, left, of Borussia Dortmund collides with Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich.
Head Coach Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund shouts from the sidelines during the match.
Fans fill Wembley Stadium during the Champions League final match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Thomas
Mueller, left, of Bayern Munich goes after the ball against Neven
Subotic of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League final
match at Wembley Stadium in London on May 25.
Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund, center, drives to the goal against Dante, right, of Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich fans wave red flags before the start of the championship game.
Borussia Dortmund supporters fill the stands as they wait for their team to take the field.
Borussia Dortmund fans in the upper deck of Wembley Stadium cheer for their team.
Bayern Munich supporters cheer from the stands.
Borussia Dortmund wear black and yellow attire in support of their team.
From
left, UEFA President Michel Platini, German Chancellor Angela Merkel
and German Football Association President Wolfgang Niersbach watch the
action from the stands.
