Part of Yosemite National Park in California closes as firefighters struggle to contain a huge forest fire in the west that threatens the park's forest and fills it with smoke. The Yosemite Valley will be closed until Sunday at least. (July 25) AP
A second firefighter from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks died Sunday morning in the Ferguson fire, according to authorities.
The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office has The firefighter and his crew were engaged in a tactical firing operation on the east side of the fire, according to ABC7 News in Fresno.The firefighter, whose name was held pending. Notice of family, was struck by a tree.He was treated on the spot but died before being transported to the hospital.
"The Sequoia National Park Team and Kings is devastated by this terrible news, "said Park Superintendent Woody Smeck at the sta "Our deepest condolences go out to the firefighter's family and loved ones, and we mourn this loss with you."
Earlier, a bulldozer operator from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection died earlier. comes with a lot of sadness and sadness to report another firefighter death today. A firefighter was killed on #FergusonFire . Here is an official version about it. Prayers to his family and colleagues. Dave Toussaint (@ engineco16) July 29, 2018
The voracious wildfire that burned 85 square miles near Yosemite National Park in California will keep the iconic Yosemite Valley closed to visitors until To Friday afternoon at least, a brutal success for some companies that depend on the park to survive.
Yosemite Valley, with attractions such as Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome, is a small fraction of the magnificent park that stretches over 1,100 square miles. The valley, which attracts tourists, is banned since last week because of the strong smoke forest fires that have swept since July 13.
Liz and Ron Skelton run the Yosemite Blue Butterfly Inn Inn at El Portal's entrance to the Yosemite Valley Park. The last days have been filled to help people evacuate, inform others that their travel plans must be changed and suffer with their neighbors tragedies that fire has brought to their community.
And when the smoke clears up, they know that the fire will cost thousands of dollars to their business.
"It's really sad for small local businesses like us who can not afford cancellation insurance," she said. "And I had to send sad emails to people from all over the world to explain to them that we had to shut down."
Business owners near the park said the news is not so bad. The Hetch Hetchy Glacial Valley in the northwestern part of the park remains open.
"Some reports give the impression that the entire park is closed, and this is certainly not the case," said Ambria Witt, chief innkeeper of the Charlotte Hotel. Groveland Hotel near the Big Oak Flat entrance to the park
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The entrance remains open , and his hotel is full, Witt says:
"There are great sites in this area do not see if you're just going to Yosemite Valley," she said. Authorities had planned to open the 7-mile Yosemite Valley on Sunday, but extended the closure due to excessive fire and fire fighting operations in the area. When it opens, "limited visitor services will be available in the Yosemite Valley, including campgrounds, accommodation and food services," said the National Parks Service in a statement. expect "poor air quality and poor visibility". Witt says the area near Groveland has not been touched.
The fire, one of more than a dozen raging across the state, was blamed for one death: a bulldozer operator for the Department of Forests and Protection against fires. Seven people were injured.
Much of the fire burns in steep, rugged terrain with few or no access roads. Mandatory and advisory evacuations are in place in many areas, but no homes have been damaged or destroyed, fire officials said.
Nearly 4,000 firefighters fight the fire, helped by hundreds of engines, bulldozers and 16 helicopters. There were gains, and the fire was listed at 30 percent contained.
At El Portal, Liz Skelton said that the peak season for her business is from April to October. Now, it's the perfect time.
"It's going to be tough this season," she said. "But it does not matter, we are just happy that the building did not burn."
