Yosemite National Park wildfire prompts evacuations

FRESNO, CA -- A wildfire burning inside Yosemite National Park has grown to approximately 700 acres, according to park officials.

The fire prompted authorities to evacuate Little Yosemite Valley and the backcountry camping area near Half Dome, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb told Action News.

Crews are looking into whether this is tied to the Meadow Fire that was sparked by lightning back on July 20. For weeks, that fire stayed at about 19 acres, and crews were just monitoring and controlling it. But around noon Sunday, they believe the wind may have fanned the flames and started a new spot fire that's grown.

More than 100 firefighters are battling the flames, along with seven helicopters and an airplane. More resources are on the way.

At this point, there is no word on containment.

Helicopters were used to evacuate about 100 hikers from the top of Half Dome, Little Yosemite Valley and surrounding trails, according to Cobb.

Yosemite remains open and all facilities within Yosemite Valley. Trails near the Half Dome area, the Little Yosemite Valley area (a backcountry camping area near Half Dome), Merced Lake and Sunrise High Sierra Camps, Clouds Rest and Echo Valley remain closed due to fire activity. All roads leading into Yosemite remain open as well.

People who have permits to hike Half Dome in the next few days can call (209) 372-0826 for an update.

Visitors can also call the fire information line before heading into the park. That number is (209) 372-0327.

Stay with Action News and ABC30.com as we continue to monitor this breaking news.