"Fire Racing Near Yosemite Park Destroys Dozens Of Structures"

"MARIPOSA, Calif. — A surging wildfire raced through California mountains and foothills west of Yosemite National Park on Wednesday, forcing thousands to flee tiny, Gold Rush-era towns, destroying 29 structures and wafting a smoky haze over the park's landmark Half Dome rock face.

The 4-day-old blaze nearly doubled in size overnight to 75 square miles (194 square kilometers), the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

At its closest, the blaze was still about 35 miles from the boundary of Yosemite, where campgrounds are open, park spokesman Scott Gediman said. The fire closed one of several roads into the park during its busy summer season, and rangers warned visitors with respiratory problems to be mindful of the haze, Gediman said.

Among park visitors Gediman talked to, 'people understand fire is a naturally occurring thing,' he said. 'Nobody was upset about it.'

Yosemite does not appear at risk from the fire, which was moving south Wednesday, away from the park, California fire spokesman Jordan Motta said."

Scott Smith reports for the Associated Press July 19, 2017.

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"'Extreme And Aggressive' California Wildfires Force Thousands To Evacuate" (NPR)