Yosemite Fire Threatens San Francisco

A wildfire at the edge of California's
Yosemite National Park in the western
U.S. is threatening the power lines that
provide electricity to San Francisco,
prompting Governor Jerry Brown to
declare a state of emergency for the city.

Brown issued the declaration Friday as
the so-called Rim Fire blazed about 300
kilometers away from the city.
Some power lines have been shut down
after the fire damaged the electrical
infrastructure serving San Francisco,
but there have been no reports of power
outages.

Yosemite is known for its waterfalls,
huge rock formations, giant trees and
other scenic wonders.
The emergency declaration frees funding
and resources to help San Francisco,
and makes it eligible for federal funds to
help with utility shortages.

The blaze is one of 50 wildfires raging
across the drought-parched western
U.S., straining resources.
Thousands of firefighters are battling the
wildfires.

The Rim Fire spread into Yosemite, one
of the major U.S. tourist destinations, on
Friday. It began last week in the western
Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The fire is currently about 6 kilometers
from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which
provides water to the San Francisco
area. If the blaze moves to the reservoir,
the city's water supply could be affected.

Authorities say thousands of people
have been forced from their homes
since the fire began. Officials are
expected to order evacuations in more
communities as the fires spreads.
The National Park Service says most of
Yosemite has not been affected by the
fire and remains "relatively smoke-free."

The service warns, however, that
conditions could change, if the winds
shift.

See photo