Large Fire In California Rages On, Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Officials in California say that a large fire west of Yosemite National Park has continued to spread and is now threatening to destroy 2,000 homes.

Photos from the Oak Fire

Photos from the Oak Fire

The Oak fire, which is currently 0% contained, is rapidly gaining momentum and has now climbed to 14,281 acres. As a result, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County, allowing the state to access federal funds and resources to fight the fire.

Map of the Oak Fire

Photos from the Oak Fire

In a statement, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) said “Today the weather is expected to remain hot with minimum humidity between 5 and 10%, which will hamper firefighting efforts. High tree mortality and dense fuels are throughout the fire area.”