Yosemite National Park’s largest and most iconic sequoia grove remained threatened by a wildfire Sunday afternoon as rough terrain and hot weather proved difficult for battling the blaze. Featured image credit (AP Photo/Noah Berger).
The Washburn Fire was first reported Thursday in Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove, which houses over 500 mature sequoias, including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant. It quickly spread amid hot and dry weather conditions: the fire grew to 2,000 acres Sunday evening, up from 466 acres recorded on Friday, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
The Washburn Fire also threatened the small nearby community of Wawona, forcing people to evacuate their homes and campsites Friday night.
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