Status: 07/25/2022 04:41
Instead of 400, 2,000 firefighters are now mobilized to fight the wildfire near Yosemite National Park in the United States. But so far they haven’t been able to do much. Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency.
By Marcus Schuler, ARD Studio Los Angeles
Lynda Reynolds and her husband were surprised at how quickly the fire approached their home. “It was scary, our bodies were covered in ash,” says Linda. It seemed to her that the fire was directly above her house. Her husband says, “We quickly gathered our things. When I walked up the hill and looked, I thought, Oh my God, this is coming fast.”
Little rain so far this year
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Mariposa County. The region is a good 300 kilometers east of San Francisco, right on the edge of Yosemite National Park. The fire started on Friday morning. And then it spread very quickly. Emergency services describe it as “explosive”.
California has been suffering from an extreme drought for nearly three years. It hardly rained in the US state this year. Forests and shrubs are very dry. Gusts of wind and dead undergrowth contribute to the fire’s acceleration.
Instead of 400 now 2000 firefighters
The California Fire Department has zero percent of the fire under its control so far. However, spokeswoman Natasha Fouts is optimistic: “We are dealing with a rough area, very steep, but we have a good fight ahead.”
However, emergency services were reinforced. From just 400 firefighters to now over 2,000. With 17 firefighting helicopters and heavy equipment, attempts are being made to contain the flames. It has already spread over an area of more than 63 square kilometers.
The only positive thing – if one can say that about a fire of this magnitude – is that the region is sparsely populated. Several thousand houses were recently threatened by fire, some were destroyed or damaged. According to media reports, around 6,000 residents had to stay to safety. Large parts of the US are experiencing an extreme heat wave – often with temperatures above 40 degrees.
Fire near Yosemite National Park, governor declares state of emergency
Marcus Schuler, ARD Los Angeles, July 24, 2022 6:57 pm