Wildfire Safety and Preparedness

Wildfire in Mariposa County, California, Prompts Evacuations

A fire rages near Yosemite in Central California.
(Twitter/TroySmock)

A wildfire in Central California has scorched about 300 acres since Friday and forced the evacuation of at least 300 homes near Yosemite National Park. At least 400 more homes in Mariposa County’s Ponderosa Basin are being advised to evacuate, according to the Merced Sun-Star. So far, no damage has been reported.

(MORE: Oregon Fire Prompts Evacuations)

According to CalFire, firefighters have contained about 25 percent of the blaze, which broke out about 15 miles southwest of Yosemite on Friday. One minor injury was reported, but CalFire didn't provide details.

Officials said firefighters have been hampered by the steep terrain in the area and the dry conditions brought on by California's drought.

All roads into the community of Ponderosa Basin have been closed, according to CalFire. Officials reopened a portion of state Route 49 that leads into the park that had been closed.

There were also no reports on any immediate effects on the park.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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