Wildfire near Yosemite National Park rages on

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Monday, July 28, 2014
The El Portal Fire near Yosemite National Park sends smoke billowing into the air.
(Yosemite National Park Facebook page)-KFSN

FRESNO, CA -- A large wildfire burning on the edge of Yosemite National Park, near the community of El Portal, has now destroyed at least one structure. Residents are on edge as crews try to stop the flames from spreading.

The El Portal Fire is just 5 percent contained. Ninety percent of the 2,600 acres that have burned are in the Stanislaus National Forest, but some areas in and around Yosemite have been evacuated.

At least 600 firefighters are battling flames during the driest year on record in Yosemite. Add that to the steep rocky terrains and over 100 degree temperatures and these guys are looking at an uphill battle.

"Our biggest concern is the protection of people and structures, and that's what we're focusing on right now, and we'll assess the burn area when it's over," said Scott Gediman, Yosemite's public affairs officer.

Gediman says the fire started in the late afternoon Saturday. There is no word yet on what sparked the fire, but it's burning in an area that is still recovering from another fire in 2009.

"Our focus is purely on initial attack, and we are 100 percent committed to suppressing this fire as quickly as possible," said Gediman.

Families in the small community of Foresta had less than an hour's notice to pack up and evacuate. At least 40 homes in Foresta and 60 homes in El Portal have been evacuated to American Red Cross shelters.

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