
A number of Yosemite campgrounds have been closed due to the El Portal Fire/NPS
Access to Yosemite National Park was hampered Sunday, and several campgrounds had been closed, due to a wildfire that had covered more than 2,000 acres and reportedly claimed at least one structure.
The El Portal fire was spotted Saturday afternoon in the Old El Portal area of the park's administrative site, according to a park release.
"The areas of Old El Portal, Foresta, and the Crane Flat Campground have been evacuated," the release said. "Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) is currently closed from the El Portal Road (Highway 140) junction to the junction with Tioga Road at Crane Flat. Bridalveil Creek Campground is also being closed to support the fire operations.
"Tioga Road is currently open and accessible only from Highway 120 in Groveland and Lee Vining. Yosemite Valley is open and accessible from Highways 140 (Mariposa) and Highway 41 (Oakhurst)."
Air support, in the form of a DC 10, eight tankers, and six helicopters were helping ground crews battle the flames Sunday.