Fire Crews Battle 50 Acre Blaze In Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, CA — Yosemite National Park officials say fire crews are fighting a blaze that has charred 50 acres in the Hodgdon Meadow area near the Highway 120 entrance to the park.

Fire Education Specialist Deb Schwietzer says the fire is in the park´s suppression zone because of its proximity to the Hodgdon community. She says personnel from the National Park Service, the Groveland Hot Shots and CDF are on scene.

She says the smoke from the fire may be visible from as far away as Sonora.

Schwietzer estimates that the fire will grow to about 80 acres by the time it is contained.

Four hand crews, three helicopters and a water tender are reportedly on the scene. Shwietzer says a backfire operation is underway on the north side of the fire where the fuel is especially heavy.

She says that operation will be conducted from the road to meet the blaze where the heavy fuels are.

Schwietzer says crews should have the fire contained by the end of the day. She adds that there are no evacuations or emergency procedures underway.

The park is open and visitors have no cause for alarm.