Thousands flee California fire

The Oak Fire has burned about 26 square miles just outside of Yosemite National Park, and is about 10 percent contained, Cal Fire officials said Monday. The fire has burned seven homes, and about 6,000 people have been ordered to evacuate with others ready to leave. Several roads are closed, including State Route 140, a main route to the park. More than 2,600 homes have lost power in the area, and Pacific Gas & Electric said it doesn’t know when it will be turned back on. 

What’s happening with the other California fires? Another fire near Yosemite, the Washburn Fire, is about 87 percent contained, officials said. Two weeks ago, it threatened Mariposa Grove, which is home to some of the world’s oldest sequoias. The flames have since moved away from the grove and now cover fewer than 5,000 acres. The causes of both wildfires are still under investigation, but firefighters said exceptionally dry conditions are making the fires worse.

Dig Deeper: Read Brad Littlejohn’s column in WORLD Opinions on the Western water crisis and the stewardship mandate.