Nearly 100 Yosemite National Park tourists and hikers had to be evacuated by helicopter after a wildfire that had been burning for weeks suddenly blew out of control and raged toward campgrounds and trails.
Kari Cobb, a spokeswoman for the park, said some of the evacuees included hikers who were on Half Dome, a peak that rises almost 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, The Associated Press reported.
Roads into the park stayed open, but officials were forced to shut down several trails.
“We just got unbelievable crazy winds and unexpected hot conditions,” said Tim Ludington, the park’s chief of roads and trails, said to the Fresno Bee. “The fire behavior totally changed.”
So far, flames have consumed almost 700 acres, and containment isn’t on the horizon. Mr. Cobb said firefighters have been hampered by the terrain, which is very rugged and difficult to access, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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