California Wildfires Maps, Update 2014: Central Calif. Blaze Destroys 8 Structures; 13,000 Evacuated
Wildfire-weary California has yet another blaze near Yosemite National Park that has caused evacuations and closings of school districts Monday.
More than 13,000 residences and businesses received evacuation orders; a state of emergency was declared in Madera County; four hotels were evacuated; and classes were canceled Tuesday for a school district, according to The Associated Press.
The 1,800-acre blaze burned down eight structures, and jumped across State Route 41 -- which was closed down in the area toward Yosemite -- according to the Fresno Bee.
Two firefighters have also been injured as of Tuesday.
One of the businesses where the fire was burning was near 30,000 gallons of propane, according to AP.
"We will be in there as long as we can, but firefighter safety is an issue," state fire Division Chief Don Stein told the Fresno Bee, according to AP.
A second blaze sparked 50 miles northeast of Bakersfield and was 3,000 acres.
The newest concern is the area near Bass Lake, Calfire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson told the Fresno Bee, since it is a densely populated area and has narrow on-way roads, which poses a problem for evacuations and a challenge for fire trucks.
"This is new history," Chistopherson said. "Stuff (that) guys with 30 years of experience have never seen before."
California Governor Jerry Brown received federal aid Monday for local, state and tribal fire agencies that will help with 75 percent of expenses.
Part of the battle against the blaze was successful, when firefighters had favorable conditions to prevent the fire from reaching downtown Oakhurst.
Several large air drops of fire retardant, some of which came from out-of-state, were dumped on the blaze overnight when temperatures were cooler.
The fire continues to be out of control and is threatening another 500 structures. Officials did not confirm what type of structures the eight that have been destroyed were.
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