California sees the largest fire of the season near Yosemite 

An uncontained wildfire near Yosemite National Park has burned more than 16,700 acres, becoming the largest fire that California has seen this season. 

The Oak Fire began on Friday afternoon in Mariposa County about 75 miles away from Fresno. By the end of the day, it had already affected more than 4,000 acres. 

By Monday the fire had grown four times in size, covering more than 16,971 acres or 26 square miles, reaching just outside of Yosemite National Park, according to California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The fire is about 12 miles near east Yosemite, threatening the park’s iconic sequoia grove. 

Surreal apocalyptic scene from the #OakFire pic.twitter.com/ylTyJgoLhb

— Technically J (@Technically_J) July 24, 2022

According to experts, the fire spread so quickly due to the region's dry conditions, high temperatures, and light winds. The dry vegetation and the area’s steep terrain precipitated the blaze, added Kelly Martin, a former chief of fire and aviation management at Yosemite.   

“Hotter and warmer summers and more vegetation growth on the landscape, minus any natural fire, means this fire was waiting to happen,” Martin said. “With these conditions, these fires will continue to burn and threaten communities, no matter what.”

#OakFire as seen from Jerseydale area yesterday pic.twitter.com/wfLdeDXBhI

— Christine Warren BSN, RN (@loverofliberals) July 23, 2022

On Monday morning, authorities said the Oak Fire “was not as extreme” as it had been during the weekend, which allowed firefighters to contain about 10% of the fire overnight and prevent it from reaching the community of Mariposa Pines.

Firefighters are still working to hold the line of fire on the northeast and south sides of the Oak Fire.

More than 2,500 are battling the fire, along with 17 helicopters, 281 fire engines, 66 dozers, and 46 water tenders, according to Cal Fire.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday, after the fire had burned more than 11,500 acres and destroyed several homes. Over 6,000 people in the Sierra Nevada foothills were evacuated.

"We urge people to evacuate when told," said Adrienne Freeman with the U.S. Forest Service. "This fire is moving very fast."

Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving fire burning near Yosemite National Park in California. A mandatory evacuation order was issued as the Oak Fire quickly exploded to thousands of acres, according to state fire officials. https://t.co/GP1szQRLsC pic.twitter.com/JMw1QUhO0L

— ABC News (@ABC) July 24, 2022