Yosemite fire threatens San Francisco electric grid
It's an American icon and a national treasure, and now our sprawling Yosemite National Park is ablaze, threatened by the out-of-control 100,000+ acre 'Rim Fire' which, despite herculean efforts, is still only two to five-percent contained.
More than 50 massive wildfires are estimated to be burning in United States at the moment, a country which in recent times has seen the burn season arriving earlier and earlier and staying longer, due to global warming.
But by far the worst inferno yet is the one that has just reached the edge of Yosemite National Park in California, menacing not only the historic park but the San Francisco electric grid as well.
The Yosemite fire is still on the park's perimeter, but as a precaution the National Park Service announced the closure of Route 120, a ribbon of highway which
leads to the west side of the nature preserve and is one of just four of its main access routes.
World famous for spectacular waterfalls and giant
sequoias, endangered Yosemite covers approximately 750,000 densely-wooded acres that support a highly diverse animal kingdom.
For that reason it attracts millions and millions of visitors each year all across the globe, so the loss of any portion of such a popular landmark will be immeasurable and have a long-lasting impact.
The park is also situated less than 200 miles from San Francisco, and only 315
miles from Los Angeles.
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