In this image provided by the National Park Service, a firefighter walks near the Mariposa Grove as the Washburn Fire burns in Yosemite National Park, California on July 7, 2022. (National Park Service via AP)
CALIFORNIA — The Washburn Fire has more than doubled in size throughout the largest grove of sequoias in Yosemite National Park, prompting firefighters to rush against the clock to save them. About 700 campers in addition to residents were forced to evacuate from the area, despite the rest of the park remaining open. “Up until this morning, the park has not been in that unhealthy category, but that is where we are now,” Nancy Phillipe, a Yosemite fire information spokesperson said on Sunday.
So far there has been no report of severe damage across the lot consisting of more than 500 sequoias, including the 3,000 year-old Grizzly Giant. Much of this is due to a sprinkler system set up in the grove. Phillipe also stated that firefighters have wrapped a historic cabin in fire-resistant foil for protection.
This comes after 15 sequoias and other trees came toppling down from a strong windstorm just over a year ago.
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See photos below of fire crews working hard to save the iconic trees in Yosemite National Park.
In this photo released by the National Park Service, the Washburn Fire burns near the lower portion of the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park (Taken on July 07, 2022; National Park Service via AP)In this photo released by the National Park Service, smoke from the Washburn Fire rises near the lower portion of the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park. (Taken on July 07, 2022; National Park Service via AP)In this photo released by the National Park Service, firefighters make their way toward the Mariposa Grove as the Washburn Fire burns in Yosemite National Park. (Taken on July 07, 2022; National Park Service via AP)The Washburn Fire burns in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park on Friday. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)A portion of Yosemite National Park has been closed as a wildfire rages near a grove of California's famous giant sequoia trees, officials said. (Taken on July 07, 2022; National Park Service via AP)In this image released by the National Park Service, smoke from the Washburn Fire rises near the lower portion of the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park. (Taken on July 07, 2022; National Park Service via AP)In this image released by the National Park Service, smoke rises from the Washburn Fire near the lower portion of the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park on Friday. (National Park Service via AP)A firefighter protects a sequoia tree as the Washburn Fire burns in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park (Taken on July 08, 2022; AP Photo/Noah Berger)In this image released by the National Park Service, smoke rises from the Washburn Fire near the lower portion of the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park. (Taken on July 08, 2022; National Park Service via AP)Viewed from Oakhurst in Madera County, California, a plume rises from the Washburn Fire burning in Yosemite National Park (Taken on July 08. 2022 by AP Photo/Noah Berger)A firefighter protects a sequoia tree as the Washburn Fire burns in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park on Friday. (Taken on July 08, 2022; AP Photo/Noah Berger)Seen from unincorporated Mariposa County, California, a helicopter drops water on the Washburn Fire burning in Yosemite National Park on Saturday. (Taken on July 09, 2022; AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
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