The French wildfire has expanded to over 900 acres, while millions in the western US endure scorching heat and arid weather conditions.
A rapidly spreading wildfire near Yosemite National Park is endangering rural communities as millions of individuals in California and throughout the western United States endure a severe heatwave expected to persist over the weekend.
The French Fire ignited on Thursday and expanded to over 900 acres (364 hectares) by Friday afternoon. Currently, the fire is 15% contained with numerous evacuations and road closures in effect, as reported by local fire authorities.
Videos shared on social media depicted flames and smoke engulfing the Gold-Rush era town of Mariposa on Thursday night, a town situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills approximately 40 miles away from the national park. The region is under an excessive heat warning, with temperatures projected to exceed 100F (38C) on Friday.
Bulldozers and crews have established a line along the entire eastern perimeter of Mariposa and are making headway in controlling the fire.
"Firefighters have made progress overnight due to the calming winds," stated a status update from Cal Fire, the state's wildfire agency.
This fire is among more than a dozen currently burning across California, including several that ignited on the Fourth of July. In the northern part of the state, progress is being made against the Thompson Fire near Oroville in Butte County, which has charred over 3,700 acres and led to evacuation orders for thousands of residents.
As of Friday, containment of the Thompson Fire had risen to 29%, allowing evacuated individuals to return home while firefighting crews continue to combat the flames in intense heat. Authorities have cautioned about high temperatures in the area, potentially reaching 108F, with even hotter conditions anticipated over the weekend.
California has encountered numerous spring and early summer wildfires due to a wet winter that left landscapes covered in grasses, priming them for ignition as summer approached.
The extreme heat will further desiccate the landscapes, heightening the risk of an active wildfire season in the upcoming months. Concerns were raised regarding fireworks and other potential fire hazards during the Fourth of July celebrations.