Yosemite National Park wildfire forces evacuation of hikers – in pictures

Fire officials called in additional crews to help battle a blaze in Yosemite National Park that sent smoke into the park’s famed valley for the first time Tuesday, officials said, though the park and its entrances remained open.

Guardian staff
theguardian.com, Tuesday 9 September 2014 16.37 EDT

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yosemite — A fire burning at central California’s famous Yosemite National Park has scorched more than 1,052 hectares and prompted the evacuation of over 180 hikers by helicopter, accordieng to park officials. Photograph: US National Parks Service/EPA

yosemite fire — Photographer Michael Frye took this image at Half Dome in Yosemite on Sunday. The fire was sending smoke into Yosemite Valley – from where the park’s famous high granite summits, Half Dome and El Capitan, are visible — for the first time since it began, though the park and its entrances remained open. Photograph: Michael Frye/AP

Yosemite — Photo provided by Rachel Kirk shows smoke from a fire rising above Little Yosemite Valley. More than 300 firefighters were battling the blaze in the park’s backcountry, up from 120 a day earlier, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said. Photograph: Rachel Kirk/AP

Yosemite — The so-called Meadow Fire, which flared out of control on Sunday afternoon, stranded 85 hikers on top of Half Dome, the park’s signature rock formation, requiring them to be flown out by helicopter, Photograph: Reuters

Yosemite — Dozens of peoplewere evacuated by helicopter from 5,000-foot Half Dome rock on Sunday after winds and temperatures increased, fanning flames. About 100 people were also evacuated from Little Yosemite Valley. The fire was not threatening any structures, but did force the closure of some trails, including the trail to Half Dome.
Photograph: Rachel Kirk/AP

yosemite — The wildfire burns next to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The fire has so far burned through nearly seven square miles and containment efforts were in very early stages. Photograph: Michael Frye/AP

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