California wildfires rage in Yosemite parkland, Sierra National Forest - Los Angeles Times
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California wildfires rage in Yosemite parkland, Sierra National Forest

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A fast-moving wildfire in Yosemite National Park has grown to about 3,000 acres, prompting officials to keep evacuations orders in place for the entire town of Foresta, Calif.

As of Tuesday, officials said the El Portal fire was only 19% contained and had destroyed a duplex. Two firefighters have sustained minor injuries battling the flames.

The fire began about 3:15 p.m. Saturday near Old El Portal, prompting evacuation orders there that have since been lifted.

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FOR THE RECORD:
Yosemite fire: An article in the July 29 LATExtra section about a fire at Yosemite National Park said that stretches of California 120 were closed. In fact, highway 120 remains open across the Sierra Nevada. Big Oak Flat Road is closed from Crane Flat to El Portal Road. —


Strike teams have been assigned to El Portal in advance of the fire line where they are working to protect structures, officials said.

Big Oak Flat Road remained closed Tuesday as more than 600 fire personnel worked to contain the blaze.

Meanwhile, a roughly 2,000-acre blaze dubbed the French fire flared up Monday in Madera County, prompting new evacuation orders for the Mammoth Pool and Cascadel areas in Sierra National Forest.

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The fire started about 5:45 a.m. in the area between Fish and Rock creek campgrounds in the San Joaquin River drainage.

Authorities planned to contact hunters, campers and other recreational visitors to the area, according to Madera County sheriff’s spokeswoman Erica Stuart.

For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at [email protected].

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