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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Yosemite wildfires threaten California towns | Yosemite wildfires threaten California towns |
| (25 days later) | |
| Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to protect mountain communities in the path of a fire raging north of Yosemite national park in California, as fierce winds batter Sierra mountain ridges and flames jump from treetop to treetop. | Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to protect mountain communities in the path of a fire raging north of Yosemite national park in California, as fierce winds batter Sierra mountain ridges and flames jump from treetop to treetop. |
| Winds gusting up to 50mph (80kph) have caused the flames to reach oak and pine treetops as high as 30 metres (100ft), feeding on bone-dry brush on the ground to create very difficult conditions. | Winds gusting up to 50mph (80kph) have caused the flames to reach oak and pine treetops as high as 30 metres (100ft), feeding on bone-dry brush on the ground to create very difficult conditions. |
| "A crown fire is much more difficult to fight," said Daniel Berlant of the California department of forestry and fire protection on Sunday. "Our firefighters are on the ground having to spray up." | "A crown fire is much more difficult to fight," said Daniel Berlant of the California department of forestry and fire protection on Sunday. "Our firefighters are on the ground having to spray up." |
| Firefighters gained little ground in slowing the now 225-sq mile (582.75 sq km) blaze. Officials estimate containment at just 7%. | Firefighters gained little ground in slowing the now 225-sq mile (582.75 sq km) blaze. Officials estimate containment at just 7%. |
| Fire officials are using bulldozers to clear contingency lines on the rim fire's north side to protect the towns of Tuolumne City, Ponderosa Hills and Twain Hart. The lines are being cut a mile ahead of the fire in locations where fire officials hope they will help protect the communities should the fire jump containment lines. | Fire officials are using bulldozers to clear contingency lines on the rim fire's north side to protect the towns of Tuolumne City, Ponderosa Hills and Twain Hart. The lines are being cut a mile ahead of the fire in locations where fire officials hope they will help protect the communities should the fire jump containment lines. |
| The blaze that has swept rapidly across steep, rugged river canyons has become one of the biggest in California history, thanks in part to extremely dry conditions caused by a lack of snow and rainfall this year. | The blaze that has swept rapidly across steep, rugged river canyons has become one of the biggest in California history, thanks in part to extremely dry conditions caused by a lack of snow and rainfall this year. |
| Investigators are trying to determine how it started on 17 August, days before lightning storms swept through the region and sparked other, smaller blazes. | Investigators are trying to determine how it started on 17 August, days before lightning storms swept through the region and sparked other, smaller blazes. |
| Statewide more than 8,300 firefighters are battling nearly 400 square miles (more than 1,000 sq km) of fires. Many air districts have issued health warnings as smoke settles over northern California. | Statewide more than 8,300 firefighters are battling nearly 400 square miles (more than 1,000 sq km) of fires. Many air districts have issued health warnings as smoke settles over northern California. |
| The rim fire has threatened two groves of giant sequoias that are unique the region, prompting park employees to clear brush and set sprinklers. | The rim fire has threatened two groves of giant sequoias that are unique the region, prompting park employees to clear brush and set sprinklers. |
| The towering trees, which grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and are among the earth's largest and oldest living things, can resist fire. However, dry conditions and heavy brush are forcing park officials to take extra precautions in the Tuolumne and Merced groves. | The towering trees, which grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and are among the earth's largest and oldest living things, can resist fire. However, dry conditions and heavy brush are forcing park officials to take extra precautions in the Tuolumne and Merced groves. |
| The popular tourist destination of Yosemite valley, the part of the park known around the world for such sights as the Half Dome and El Capitan rock formations and waterfalls, remained open, clear of smoke and free from other signs of the fire that remained about 20 miles away. | The popular tourist destination of Yosemite valley, the part of the park known around the world for such sights as the Half Dome and El Capitan rock formations and waterfalls, remained open, clear of smoke and free from other signs of the fire that remained about 20 miles away. |
| The fire is the most critical of a dozen burning across California, officials say. | The fire is the most critical of a dozen burning across California, officials say. |
| More than 12 helicopters and a half-dozen fixed-wing tankers are dropping water and retardant from the air and 2,800 firefighters are on the ground. | More than 12 helicopters and a half-dozen fixed-wing tankers are dropping water and retardant from the air and 2,800 firefighters are on the ground. |
| "This fire has continued to pose every challenge that there can be on a fire: inaccessible terrain, strong winds, dry conditions. It's a very difficult firefight," Berlant said. | "This fire has continued to pose every challenge that there can be on a fire: inaccessible terrain, strong winds, dry conditions. It's a very difficult firefight," Berlant said. |
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