Yosemite Rim Fire Explodes

August 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

All through the west.  Something like 50 major fires burning — as predicted.  Now in the backyard of the Bay Area.

The Rim Fire burns near Yosemite National Park, Calif. The wildfire outside Yosemite National Park is one of more than 50 major brush blazes burning across the western U.S. ó more than tripled in size overnight and still threatens about 2,500 homes, hotels and camp buildings. Fire officials said the blaze burning in remote, steep terrain had grown to more than 84 square miles and was only 2 percent contained on Thursday, down from 5 percent a day earlier.

The Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif –one of more than 50 major brush blazes burning across the western U.S. — more than tripled in size overnight. It was only 2 percent contained on Thursday, down from 5 percent a day earlier.

There are 10 in California alone, and three more that have been fully suppressed.  The only good thing that can be said is that both numbers of fires and acreage burned are well behind last year, and the year before — nationally.  Not in California though,  where the numbers are ahead of last year and the ten year average:

January 1, 2013 through August 17, 2013 4,715 94,855
January 1, 2012 through August 17, 2012 3,443 76,064
5 year average (same interval) 3,328 136,776

From CalFire

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