Yosemite Closed Indefinitely As California Fires Grow To Largest In History: Map And Update
Trevor Nace August 8, 2018, 11:35am
The scope of California’s fires is unprecedented and has resulted in the closure of Yosemite National Park as firefighters battle 17 large fires, one of which is the largest fire in California’s history.
To help give perspective, we’ll cover both updates and maps of where the fires currently are and what actions the thousands of firefighters are taking to contain the fires. In total, over 14,000 firefighters are battling fires across the state, working to contain widespread fires as new ones appear almost daily. The National Guard sent in over 2,300 people to help contain the fight and international assistance from Australia and New Zealand are on hand to assist.
The Mendocino Complex Fire doubled in size in the past few days, making it the largest fire in California’s recorded history. The Mendocino Complex Fire is the result of both the Ranch and River Fires combining near Clear Lake to form the largest fire in history.
The Mendocino Complex Fire is estimated to have burned 283,800 acres and has grown by 80 percent since Friday of last week and is only 30 percent contained. The acreage count puts this fire just above last year’s Thomas Fire, which burned 281,893 acres, to put the Mendocino Complex Fire as the largest California fire in recorded history.
California Burning: From North To South
As noted in the map below, California is experiencing fires from the very northern tip of the state in Klamath National Forest to several fires surrounding the Los Angeles metro area.
As wildfires burn throughout the state, another notable fire is the Ferguson Fire which has prompted National Park Service to close large parts of Yosemite National Park.
The Ferguson Fire is on its third week, having killed two people and injured another 11. The National Park Service released a statement that in the past few days the fire has made roads inaccessible, downed trees, and made the larger Yosemite Valley too dangerous for tourists. The Ferguson Fire, at 94,992 acres and only 39 percent contained, grew by 8,000 acres on Sunday alone.
Source: Forbes
Trevor Nace is a PhD geologist, founder of Science Trends, Forbes contributor, and explorer.