Emergency declared in California as wildfire rages near National Park

In USA, over 11,900 acres of land burnt and 3000 people evacuated due to wildfire near Yosemite National Park in California. A state of emergency has been declared in Mariposa County of California as a wildfire continues to rapidly spread. Firefighters are struggling to control it. The flames are being driven by hot, dry weather and drought conditions   California's Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.  The Oak fire which started on Friday marks an ominous start to the state’s peak wildfire season. With this more dangerous blazes are expected due to a combination of drought, climate change and overgrown vegetation.

Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday due to the effects of the Oak Fire. More than 400 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with helicopters, other aircraft and bulldozers, facing tough conditions that included hot weather, low humidity and bone-dry vegetation caused by the worst drought in decades, Patterson said. By Saturday morning, the fire had destroyed 10 residential and commercial structures, damaged five others and was threatening 2000 more structures, Cal Fire said.The blaze prompted numerous road closures, including a shutdown of Highway 140 between Carstens Road and Allred Road - blocking one of the main routes into Yosemite.