Fire Outside Yosemite Park Forces Evacuations
- 00:01:13
- YouTube
Fire Outside Yosemite Park Forces Evacuations
PlusFire Outside Yosemite Park Forces EvacuationsFire Outside Yosemite Park Forces EvacuationsThe Associated PressThe blaze near a western entrance to Yosemite National Park has charred more than 26,000 acres and destroyed 12 homes since Friday. It's also forced the evacuation of about 200 others. (July 28)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] (locator - Midpines, CA)Sam Frankel, Evacuee, says: "A roar, pines where going boom! Exploding one after another coming up the canyon."EVACUATED RESIDENTS DESCRIBE THE SCENE AS THEY ESCAPED A FAST-MOVING, OUT-OF-CONTROL WILDFIRE BURNING OUTSIDE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK. IT'S ALREADY DESTROYED MORE THAN A DOZEN HOMES AND THREATENS HUNDREDS OF OTHERS.Fire Captain says to firefighters: "We're going to remain mobile but we're going to be very safe."FIRE CREWS ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME FIGHTING THE FLAMES, WHICH HAVE CHARRED MORE THAN 40 SQUARE MILES.Kevin Colburn, Cal Fire Spokesperson, says: "It's steep rugged terrain. The fuels haven't burned in more than a hundred years so they're in there pretty thick. The weather's always a factor. Highs of 97 degrees then we have the wind."AT THE EVACUATION CENTER, RESIDENTS COULD ONLY WAIT TO SEE IF THEIR ADDRESS ENDS UP LISTED AS SAVED OR DESTROYED.Sam Frankel, Evacuee, says: "There's a possibility our places are already gone. We don't know."FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE BLAZE WAS SPARKED BY TARGET PRACTICE GUNFIRE. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK REMAINS OPEN. HAVEN DALEY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, MIDPINES, CALIFORNIA. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****)
YouTube | July 29, 2008
