Mandatory Evacuations Underway as 900-Acre Wildfire Rages Near Yosemite National Park in California

A 900-acre wildfire is tearing through Mariposa County, California, near the iconic Yosemite National Park, prompting mandatory evacuations and forcing a local hospital to shelter in place. 

The blaze, known as the French Fire, ignited just after 6 PM on Thursday and was only 15 percent contained by Friday evening. 

The fire has left approximately 3,100 residents without power, according to PowerOutage.us, as Cal Fire mobilizes ground units and a helicopter to combat the flames.

Governor Gavin Newsom reported that 1,100 people were ordered to evacuate after the fire broke out. 

While some evacuation orders have been lifted, others remain in effect. 

Dramatic footage shows helicopters releasing fire retardant over billowing clouds of smoke, highlighting the intensity of the firefighting efforts.

On Thursday, officials ordered patients and staff at California’s John C. Fremont Hospital to shelter in place. 

This order was lifted by Friday afternoon, allowing the hospital to resume normal operations. 

Similarly, shelter-in-place orders for Yosemite Inn and Quality Inn were also lifted on Friday, as reported by local outlet ABC 30.

The French Fire has forced the temporary closure of Highway 140, a heavily trafficked route into Yosemite. 

The road was reopened on Friday, but the fire's proximity to the park remains a cause for concern.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom announced that his office had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

This grant will help reimburse the state for its firefighting costs, providing crucial support in the ongoing battle against the blaze.

A fast-moving wildfire near Yosemite National Park in northern California triggered evacuations on Thursday amid extreme heat.

The fire burned 843 acres and had only 5% containment by Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/NcZGMPlPho

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) July 5, 2024

In addition to the French Fire, California is contending with the Thompson Fire, which has scorched nearly 4,000 acres and is 46 percent contained. 

This fire, located about 70 miles outside of Sacramento, forced the evacuation of approximately 17,000 people. 

Many residents have since been allowed to return to their homes, but the threat of further evacuations looms as the fire continues to burn.

California is currently experiencing an excessive heat warning, exacerbating the wildfire situation. 

"These conditions are so hot that anything that can create a spark can create a fire that can grow real fast," said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, to the Los Angeles Times.

The ongoing human-caused climate crisis is creating prime conditions for destructive wildfires. 

Rising global temperatures are making rain more erratic and droughts more prolonged and intense, leading to more frequent and severe wildfires. 

Climate scientists predict that 2024 is very likely to be the hottest year on record globally, following the record-setting temperatures of 2023.

As the French Fire rages on, the urgency for effective climate action becomes ever more apparent. 

The devastation wrought by these wildfires serves as a stark reminder of the need to address the underlying causes of climate change and implement strategies to mitigate its impacts.