Firefighters reported progress Monday battling a huge blaze on the edge of Yosemite National Park, but warned it remains an "extreme" threat as it nears the top US tourist destination and San Francisco's water supply.
The Rim Fire, which began nine days ago, has grown to become the 13th largest in California's recorded history and has sparked the closure of one of the main roads into the spectacular natural beauty spot.
The fire has already crossed into the world-famous park, but it remains at least 15 miles from the Yosemite Valley, an area visited by millions of tourists each year looking to see stunning scenery, waterfalls and rock formations including Half Dome and El Capitan.
The inferno is also nearing the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the main source of fresh water for 2.6 million people living in the San Francisco Bay Area, some 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the west.
Local news media reported Monday that flames from the Rim Fire were a mere five miles away from the reservoir.
The fire "is expected to continue to exhibit very large fire growth due to extremely dry fuels, strong winds and inaccessible terrain," according to the latest update on the Inciweb firefighting information website.
"Rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior (are) hampering suppression efforts," it added.
The blaze has scorched 149,780 acres (60,614 hectares) and is 15 percent contained, up from 7 percent on Sunday, said Cal Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Some 4,500 buildings remain threatened by the fire, which is being tackled by nearly 3,700 firefighters. Schools in several nearby areas remained closed Monday.
"Winds again today will pose a challenge with gusts of 26 miles per hour (42 kilometers per hour) out of the south, pushing the fire further to the northeast," said the official update.
Meanwhile, the park said in an update on its website, "most of Yosemite National Park is not affected by the fire and is relatively smoke-free. The northern part of the park .. has some smoke. Conditions may change if winds shift."
Highway 120, one of the main routes into Yosemite from the west, remained closed Monday due to the fire.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said there have been no interruptions in the city's water supply, and that there has been no change in the quality of drinking water.
It added that it has large reserves of water stored locally, which it will make available if the fire interrupts delivery.
However, the city also relies on hydroelectric power from the same region: two of its three power plants were shut down when the fire swept through, Tyrone Jue of the Utilities Commission told the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco kept the power flowing by relying on agreements with other utility companies and buying supplemental power.
One of the plants was still too dangerous to reach on Sunday, but repairs on the other were underway and should be completed by Monday, Jue told the paper.
Extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged drought, coupled with inaccessible terrain in the affected area, have exacerbated the severity of the incident.
Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for San Francisco due to the threat to its water and electricity.
The state's firefighting efforts got a boost when California received federal assistance over the weekend to help mobilize the necessary resources.
President Barack Obama spoke to California's governor on Sunday and "expressed his gratitude for the brave men and women working tirelessly to combat this devastating fire," the White House said.
"The President reiterated his commitment to providing needed federal resources to support the ongoing state and local response," it added in a read-out of the call.
AFP
Tue Aug 27 2013
![US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply US wildfire spreads towards San Francisco water supply](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-08/41377560800_295x200.jpg)
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41693913999_RubiahWang.jpg)
KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan
Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) memperuntukkan RM3.37 juta pada tahun ini bagi memastikan keterjaminan makanan negara.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
![Prestasi lemah debat dengan Trump, ahli parti Demokrat persoal kemampuan Biden Prestasi lemah debat dengan Trump, ahli parti Demokrat persoal kemampuan Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71719671359_TBKamalaHarris.jpg)
Prestasi lemah debat dengan Trump, ahli parti Demokrat persoal kemampuan Biden
Beberapa ahli Parti Demokrat secara terbuka mempersoalkan sama ada Biden sepatutnya digantikan dengan calon lain dari parti itu dalam pilihan raya 2024.
![California terus berada di kedudukan teratas dalam kadar pengangguran di AS California terus berada di kedudukan teratas dalam kadar pengangguran di AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81716035583_Californiapengangg.jpg)
California terus berada di kedudukan teratas dalam kadar pengangguran di AS
California terus menerajui Amerika Syarikat (AS) dalam jumlah kehilangan pekerjaan sejak awal tahun ini.
![Sekurang-kurangnya empat maut dalam insiden tembakan di sebuah bar di AS Sekurang-kurangnya empat maut dalam insiden tembakan di sebuah bar di AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/71692861156_barshooting.jpg)
Sekurang-kurangnya empat maut dalam insiden tembakan di sebuah bar di AS
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang maut dalam kejadian tembakan di sebuah bar di negeri California di Amerika Syarikat pada Rabu.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41680607592_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Hurikan Hilary landa California Hurikan Hilary landa California](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/81692600896_TropicalStormHilar.jpg)
Hurikan Hilary landa California
Selatan California telah mengalami kesan ribut sejak awal Ahad dan jumlah curahan hujan mula meningkat.
![Putri Ariani tampil persembahan memukau sempena Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia Putri Ariani tampil persembahan memukau sempena Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/81692259782_PutriAriani.jpg)
Putri Ariani tampil persembahan memukau sempena Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia
Penyanyi kelahiran Indonesia, Putri Ariani tampil membuat persembahan sempena sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia (HUT) ke 78 di Istana Merdeka, Jakarta Pusat pada Khamis.
![Kanak-kanak tidak sengaja tembak mati adik usia setahun di California Kanak-kanak tidak sengaja tembak mati adik usia setahun di California](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61680423682_TBcrimescene.jpg)
Kanak-kanak tidak sengaja tembak mati adik usia setahun di California
Mangsa yang cedera di kepala itu dibawa ke hospital dan disahkan meninggal dunia pada 8.30 pagi Isnin waktu tempatan.
![Enam maut, pesawat terhempas berhampiran lapangan terbang California Selatan Enam maut, pesawat terhempas berhampiran lapangan terbang California Selatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/51688900167_Californiaplanecra.jpg)
Enam maut, pesawat terhempas berhampiran lapangan terbang California Selatan
Sebuah pesawat ringan terhempas berhampiran Lapangan Terbang French Valley di California hingga mengorbankan kesemua enam penumpang.
!['Wolverine' dikesan di California, kedua disahkan dalam tempoh 100 tahun 'Wolverine' dikesan di California, kedua disahkan dalam tempoh 100 tahun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/81685879317_TBWOLVERINEjpg.jpg)
'Wolverine' dikesan di California, kedua disahkan dalam tempoh 100 tahun
Seekor wolverine liar dikesan beberapa kali di California bulan lepas, menurut Jabatan Ikan dan Hidupan Liar California.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41680607592_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.