Aug 27, 2013

Threatening communities near Yosemite National Park, California’s Rim fire is one of the largest in the state’s history. Fire crews continued to fight multiple blazes on Day 10.

: Flames from the Rim Fire consume trees on August 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire from the Rim Fire consumes trees on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter uses a hose to douse the flames of the Rim Fire on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that has entered a section of Yosemite National Park and is currently 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Big Bear firefighter Jon Curtis keeps a close eye on a ‘slop over’ fire that jumped Hwy 120 just east of Hardin Flat Road while fighting the Rim Fire, which continues to conflagrate uncontrolled in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Saturday, August 24, 2013. (Elias Funez/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: The Rim Fire erupts as it approaches Yosemite Lake on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that entered a section of Yosemite National Park overnight and is only 2 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: The Rim Fire burns near Buck Meadows, California, August 24, 2013. A fast-moving wildfire on the edge of Yosemite National Park has forced the closure of two more areas of the park, but an official said on Saturday he was cautiously optimistic that firefighters could halt the advance of flames. The fire, which had grown to just over 125,000 acres (50,585 hectares) as of early Saturday, remained largely unchecked with extreme terrain hampering efforts at containment, which stood at 5 percent. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: A view of the remains of a forest burned by the Rim Fire, just outside Yosemite National Park, California, August 24, 2013. Firefighters on Saturday battled to gain control of a fast-moving wildfire raging on the edge of Yosemite National Park that is threatening power and water supplies to San Francisco about 200 miles (322 km) to the west. The fire, which had grown to just over 125,000 acres (50,585 hectares) as of early Saturday, remained largely unchecked with extreme terrain hampering efforts at containment. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Trees burned by the Rim Fire are seen at Camp Mather on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Letters on a road sign are seen melted after being burned by the Rim Fire on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A plume of smoke rises from a ridge as the Rim Fire approaches Yosemite Lakes on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A bear and cub cross a road near the Rim Fire on August 24, 2013 in Yosemite National Park, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A Murphys Fire District firefighter stops his vehicle as a massive wall of fire from the Rim Fire consumes trees along highway 120 on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Smoke from the Rim Fire fills the sky on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Flames billow from the front of a car that was consumed by the Rim Fire on August 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A burned car sits on the side of the road after being consumed by the Rim Fire on August 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A coyote walks across U.S. Highway 120, shut down due to the Rim Fire on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Firefighters work to prevent the Rim Fire from jumping Highway 120 near Buck Meadows, California, August 24, 2013. A fast-moving wildfire on the edge of Yosemite National Park has forced the closure of two more areas of the park, but an official said on Saturday he was cautiously optimistic that firefighters could halt the advance of flames. The fire, which had grown to just over 125,000 acres (50,585 hectares) as of early Saturday, remained largely unchecked with extreme terrain hampering efforts at containment, which stood at 5 percent. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Fire trucks drive along Highway 120 while fighting the Rim Fire near Buck Meadows, California, August 24, 2013. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: A view of the Rim Fire as it burns just outside Yosemite National Park, California, August 24, 2013. Firefighters on Saturday battled to gain control of a fast-moving wildfire raging on the edge of Yosemite National Park that is threatening power and water supplies to San Francisco about 200 miles (322 km) to the west. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Firefighters monitor the edge of the Rim Fire as it burns near Berkeley Camp near Buck Meadows, California, August 23, 2013. The 105,000-acre Rim Fire, named for a Stanislaus National Forest lookout point called Rim of the World, has destroyed four homes and 12 outbuildings since it broke out on Saturday. It had blackened 11,000 acres at the northeastern edge of Yosemite as of Friday, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: A sign on the edge of Yosemite National Park, California, is surrounded by a burn from the Rim Fire, August 23, 2013. The 105,000-acre Rim Fire, named for a Stanislaus National Forest lookout point called Rim of the World, has destroyed four homes and 12 outbuildings since it broke out on Saturday. It had blackened 11,000 acres at the northeastern edge of Yosemite as of Friday, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: A firefighting crew puts out a spot fire that jumped a fire line in Yosemite National Park, California, August 23, 2013. The 105,000-acre Rim Fire, named for a Stanislaus National Forest lookout point called Rim of the World, has destroyed four homes and 12 outbuildings since it broke out on Saturday. It had blackened 11,000 acres at the northeastern edge of Yosemite as of Friday, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: A bulldozer puts in a fire line as the Rim Fire burns in the background near the border of Yosemite National Park, California, August 23, 2013. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: The remains of a burned home from the Rim Fire near Buck Meadows, California, August 23, 2013. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Los Angeles County firefighters hike in on a fire line on the Rim Fire near Groveland, California, August 22, 2013. The wildfire raging out of control near Yosemite National Park in northern California ballooned to nearly 54,000 acres on Thursday, more than tripling in size from the day before, forest officials said. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Firefighter Dave Beck rakes embers away from a road on the rim fire near Buck Meadows, California, August 22, 2013. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Firefighter Barry Cole sets a back fire on the rim fire near Buck Meadows, California, August 22, 2013. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Colorado Rural Protection firefighter Molly McGee fights the Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Thursday, August 22, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: This photo obtained August 23, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest Service, shows the Rim Fire as it burns near Yosemite National Park, California. The wildfire outside Yosemite National Park, is one of more than 50 major brush blazes burning across the western United States , has more than tripled in size overnight and still threatens about 2,500 homes, hotels and camp buildings. Fire officials say that the blaze burning in remote, steep terrain has grown to more than 84 square miles (135 km) and was only 2 percent contained on August 22, 2013, down from 5 percent a day earlier. (Getty Images)

: This photo obtained August 23, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest Service, shows the Rim Fire as it burns close to Groveland Ranger Station near Yosemite National Park, California. The wildfire outside Yosemite National Park, is one of more than 50 major brush blazes burning across the western United States , has more than tripled in size overnight and still threatens about 2,500 homes, hotels and camp buildings. Fire officials say that the blaze burning in remote, steep terrain has grown to more than 84 square miles (135 km) and was only 2 percent contained on August 22, 2013, down from 5 percent a day earlier. (Getty Images)

: This photo obtained August 23, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest Service, shows the Rim Fire as it burns close to Groveland Ranger Station near Yosemite National Park, California. The wildfire outside Yosemite National Park, is one of more than 50 major brush blazes burning across the western United States , has more than tripled in size overnight and still threatens about 2,500 homes, hotels and camp buildings. Fire officials say that the blaze burning in remote, steep terrain has grown to more than 84 square miles (135 km) and was only 2 percent contained on August 22, 2013, down from 5 percent a day earlier. (Getty Images)

: A California Department of Forestry air tanker drops fire retardant on a ridge ahead of the advancing Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: U.S. Forest Service firefighters move into position while battling the Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that was reduced to only 2 percent containment after it nearly tripled in size overnight. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Firefighters douse hot spots while battling the Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that was reduced to only 2 percent containment after it nearly tripled in size overnight. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighting helicopter flies in front of a plume of smoke from the Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that was reduced to only 2 percent containment after it nearly tripled in size overnight. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Central Calaveras Fire monitors the Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that was reduced to only 2 percent containment after it nearly tripled in size overnight. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A DC-10 air tanker drops fire retardant on a ridge ahead of the advancing Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A fire helicopter dumps water on a brush fire near Highway 101 and Calabasas on August 18, 2013 north of Los Angeles, California. A car fire sparked a brush fire off the northbound 101 Freeway in Calabasas on Sunday. LA County Fire says the blaze has burned between 40 to 50 acres. Crews are battling flames from the ground and air. (Joe Klamar/Getty Images)

: U.S. Forest Service firefighter moves away from a quickly moving section of the Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Tuesday August 20, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitors a back fire as he battles the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire consumes trees along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Firefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire as they battle the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A fire helicopter dumps water on a brush fire near Highway 101 and Calabasas on August 18, 2013 north of Los Angeles, California. A car fire sparked a brush fire off the northbound 101 Freeway in Calabasas on Sunday. LA County Fire says the blaze has burned between 40 to 50 acres. Crews are battling flames from the ground and air. (Joe Klamar/Getty Images)

: A team of hotshots walk along a fire line near homes on Croy Road and the Rotorun ski hill west of Hailey, Idaho, Saturday, August 17, 2013. The Beaver Creek fire moved through the area in the early hours Saturday morning. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

: A helicopter tanker drops fire retardant near a home at the Beaver Creek wildfire outside Ketchum, Idaho August 18, 2013. Firefighters readied for a massive ground and air attack on Sunday against a wildfire in central Idaho that has forced the evacuation of some 2,250 homes and threatens the posh Sun Valley ski resort. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

: Idaho Power workers repair burned power lines as a fire crew works to douse a hot spot at the Beaver Creek wildfire outside Hailey, Idaho August 17, 2013. A wildfire raging across the central mountains of Idaho forced the evacuation of 200 homes in the tourist town of Hailey on Saturday as fire-fighters lost ground against a blaze threatening the nearby international ski destination of Sun Valley. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

: Firefighters clear a burned area at the Beaver Creek wildfire outside Hailey, Idaho August 17, 2013. A wildfire raging across the central mountains of Idaho forced the evacuation of 200 homes in the tourist town of Hailey on Saturday as fire-fighters lost ground against a blaze threatening the nearby international ski destination of Sun Valley. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

: Idaho Power workers replace burned power poles at the Beaver Creek wildfire outside Hailey, Idaho August 17, 2013. A wildfire raging across the central mountains of Idaho forced the evacuation of 200 homes in the tourist town of Hailey on Saturday as fire-fighters lost ground against a blaze threatening the nearby international ski destination of Sun Valley. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

: A vehicle from San Andreas fire department drives by a back fire as crews battle the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A tanker helicopter drops water as a firefighter works to douse a hot spot at the Beaver Creek wildfire outside Hailey, Idaho August 17, 2013. A wildfire raging across the central mountains of Idaho forced the evacuation of 200 homes in the tourist town of Hailey on Saturday as fire-fighters lost ground against a blaze threatening the nearby international ski destination of Sun Valley. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

: A fire helicopter dumps water on a brush fire near Highway 101 and Calabasas on August 18, 2013 north of Los Angeles, California. A car fire sparked a brush fire off the northbound 101 Freeway in Calabasas on Sunday. LA County Fire says the blaze has burned between 40 to 50 acres. Crews are battling flames from the ground and air. (Joe Klamar/Getty Images)

: North bound traffic in full stop due to a brush fire near Highway 101 and Calabasas on August 18, 2013 north of Los Angeles, California. A car fire sparked a brush fire off the northbound 101 Freeway in Calabasas on Sunday. LA County Fire says the blaze has burned between 40 to 50 acres. Crews are battling flames from the ground and air. (Joe Klamar/Getty Images)

: Smoke rises from the hills as the Elk Complex fire threatens an incident command post near Pine, Idaho in this August 12, 2013 handout photo provided by USFS. The fire has burned 90249 acres since being ignited by lightning strikes on August 8. Picture taken August 12, 2013. (USFS via Reuters)

: Firefighters holding chainsaws watch the fire line as the Elk Complex fire burns near the town of Pine, Idaho, in this U.S. Forest Service (USFS) handout picture taken August 13, 2013. The wildfire has destroyed about a dozen homes and spread to over 110,000 acres, prompting authorities to intensify calls to hundreds of residents to heed mandatory orders to evacuate, fire officials said on Tuesday. (USFS via Reuters)

: Members to the Horseshoe Meadow Hotshots Chuck Ervin, left, and Ian White prepare a fire break at the Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Tuesday, August 20, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: The Rim Fire has claimed seven structures including this outbuilding on Packard Canyon Road in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Tuesday August 20, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: The Rim Fire burns in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Tuesday August 20, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: U.S. Forest Service firefighter head out to create a fire break to protect an electrical structure at the Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Tuesday August 20, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: U.S. Forest Service firefighter Juan Rodriguez checks the stability of a burned out tree at the Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest in California, Tuesday August 20, 2013. (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee/MCT)

: The sun sets through heavy smoke from the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A fire restriction sign is partially burnt by the Rim Fire near Buck Meadows, California, August 22, 2013. The fire has burnt 53,866 acres northwest of Yosemite National Park. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

: Firefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire as they battle the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A car drives along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire consumes trees along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire consumes trees along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. ((Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Trees burst into flames along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire continues to burn on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire consumes trees along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire consumes trees along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Trees charred by the Rim Fire are seen along US highway 120 on August 21, 2013 in Buck Meadows, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A Smokey the Bear sign is posted along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Fire consumes trees along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Firefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire as they battle the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Firefighters monitor a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District uses a drip torch to light a back fire as they battle the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District uses a hose to cool down hot spots of back fire as he battles the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitors a back fire as he battles the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitors a back fire as he battles the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District uses a hose to cool down hot spots of back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District uses a drip torch to light a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A rabbit runs across the road as a firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitors a back fire as he battles the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District uses a hose to cool down hot spots while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: Firefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: The Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 400 firefighters are battling the blaze that is only 5 percent contained. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

: A log smoulders after trees were burnt by the Rim Fire near Buck Meadows, California, August 22, 2013. The fire has burnt 53,866 acres northwest of Yosemite National Park. (Max Whittaker/Reuters)

Crews get first break against Rim fire
Crews battle the massive Rim fire on more level ground and tankers are able to drop retardant on accessible ridges.
By Diana Marcum, Samantha Schaefer and Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times
1:50 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2013

GROVELAND, Calif. — On Day 10 of the Rim fire — even as the blaze scorched its way deeper into the northern end of Yosemite National Park — firefighters got their first small break Monday against massive forces of nature.

As the fire reached higher elevations, climbing out of steep ravines, crews could take their stand on more level ground. Huge air tankers could finally drop retardant on accessible ridges.

The fire has charred a swath of nearly 161,000 acres — including about 21,000 acres inside the park. It has destroyed at least 23 structures, and threatens two groves of giant sequoias and historical structures in the famed park. But about 25 miles away, the tourist magnet of Yosemite Valley remained safe, surrounded by its famed granite walls.

The fire is burning hotter and faster than any in modern Sierra Nevada history, firefighters say. Officials say it is the California wildfire they have warned about for years, as modern firefighting techniques have snuffed out forest fires, allowing fuel to build up on the mountain floor.

“This is it. This is the big one,” Yosemite Fire Chief Kelly Martin said.

Yet containment reached 20% — up from 7% Sunday.

“The fire will burn until the snow flies,” said Tom Medema, a Yosemite National Park interpretive ranger. “But today, we finally had a chance to box it in.”

The most hopeful sign was written in the sky.

California’s Rim fire has burned more than 230 square miles

Leave a Reply Cancel