Firefighters scramble to contain Yosemite fires as new blaze erupts

A fast-moving wildfire near Yosemite national park exploded in size Saturday and prompted evacuations even as firefighters made progress against an earlier blaze that burned to the edge of a grove of giant sequoias.

The Oak fire, which began Friday afternoon south-west of the park near Midpines in Mariposa county, grew to 10.2 sq miles (26.5 sq km) by Saturday morning, according to the California department of forestry and fire protection, or CalFire.

On Saturday more than 6,000 people were under evacuation orders and power had been shut off to more than 2,000 homes and businesses.

The fast-growing blaze prompted Caltrans to order numerous road closures, including a shutdown of Highway 140 between Carstens Road and Allred Road, blocking one of the main routes into Yosemite national park.

Hot weather and bone dry vegetation caused by the worst drought in decades was fueling the blaze and challenging fire crews, said Daniel Patterson, a spokesman for the Sierra national forest.

By Saturday morning, the fire had destroyed 10 residential and commercial structures, damaged five others and was threatening 2,000 more structures, CalFire said.

A shoeless older man attempting to flee crashed his sedan into a ditch in a closed area and was helped by firefighters. He was safely driven from the area and did not appear to suffer any injuries. Several other residents stayed in their homes Friday night as the fire continued to burn nearby.

Meanwhile, firefighters have made significant progress against a wildfire that began in Yosemite national park and burned into the Sierra national forest.

The Washburn fire was 79% contained Friday after burning about 7.5 sq miles (19.4 sq km) of forest.