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At about 400 square miles, the California Rim Fire is larger than San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland combined. Starting on August 17, 2013 at around 3:15 p.m., the Rim Fire has tied the Matilija Wildfire in VenturaCounty of 1932 as the 3rd largest wildfire in California’s history. The fire has burned through TuolumneCounty, MariposaCounty, and part of YosemiteNational Park. The cost to contain the blaze is a close estimate of 125.8 million dollars.
“Every year the summer temperatures are a little warmer, hence the conditions for burning are a little more auspicious,” elaborated Hugh Safford, an ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service in California. “People can deny it all they want but its happening. Every year the fuels are a little bit drier.”
Yosemite Park Officials expect full containment by October 1, 2013. Unsure about what caused the fire, some say it’s from illegal marijuana growers, others say it was caused by lightning, and officials are investigating if it was an uncontrolled illegal campfire. The Rim Fire has burned 257,137 acres. There has been no sign of death, there has been ten injures, and a total of 111 structures were destroyed.
In total 4,600 personnel, 14 helicopters, 8 planes, 70 law enforcement vehicles, and 300 different fire agencies from 42 states and District of Columbia, helped tame the fire. As of today 84% of the fire has been contained.
“It’s very destructive in just a short amount of time,” stated state fire spokesman, Mike Witeman.
Tuolumne City is the main center for helicopters to resupply their water tanks. Helicopters and planes have dropped 1.4 million gallons of water and 1.7 million gallons of fire retardant. Moisture in the air helps slow down and stop the flames, but winds push the fire towards dry grass which makes it spread faster.
“It was incredible to see multiple agencies from around the country come together to fight for one common goal,” claimed Officer Glenn Graves from Modesto Police Department.