What may well become one of California’s largest wildfires,
the Rim fire has already consumed 125,000 acres near Yosemite National Park and
has no intentions of slowing. It was an impressive sight to see yesterday
afternoon as the fire consumed some 30,000 acres. The fire is moving into the
area for San Francisco’s drinking water, the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite
National Park.
The fire started Saturday August 17 at 3:15 PM on the Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest and has steadily
marched north east since its inception. It is still primarily on the Stanislaus
National Forest burning in heavy fuels and old growth timber. Structures have been evacuated and a massive
mutual aid call out for County, State and Federal resources are still funneling
in. Units from Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City Fire Departments are responding as well
as hand crews from Kern County and the Los Padres National Forest.
There is no
expected containment time and it may burn until winter rain and snow arrive
since the fire may hit wilderness areas soon. Yosemite Park is one of the
world’s pristine natural treasures and has not been impacted too bad as of yet
by this monstrous wildfire.
Fire potential is very large, fire intensity is
extreme, crowning and spotting in timber and heavy brush. Highway 108 on the
west side may be impacted in a few days. Terrain is rugged with narrow mountain
roads, wildlife impacted in natural areas. Highway 120 remains closed.
Firefighter safety paramount falling timber and burning snags, extreme fire behavior
and very steep terrain.
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