Yosemite fire grows as crews try to protect iconic giant sequoias

A wildfire threatening the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park more than doubled in size in a day, and firefighters are working in difficult terrain to protect the iconic trees and a small mountain town.
Campers and residents near the blaze were evacuated, but the rest of the sprawling park in California remained open, though heavy smoke obscured scenic vistas and created unhealthy air quality on Sunday.
“Today it’s actually the smokiest that we’ve seen,” Nancy Phillipe, a Yosemite fire information spokesperson, said on Sunday.
“Up until this morning, the park has not been in that unhealthy category, but that is where we are now.”
More than 500 mature sequoias were threatened in the famed Mariposa Grove but there were no reports of severe damage to any named trees, including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant.
Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan reports.
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[@IntriguedLioness]

These old growth trees are absolutely gorgeous to witness first hand. Living in San Francisco we were lucky to be so close and to visit so often. Strength to the firefighters who battle bravely.

[@gloriouse4458]

THESE WE’RE OUR STOMPING GROUND’S WHEN WE WE’RE KIDS 💗GLAD WE HAD A CHANCE TO BE AMONG THE GIANTS 🌳🌲🍃💔

[@sajjadakhtar9118]

Feeling sad for beautiful forests.seqouias are beautiful trees. Praying for rains there for these fires get extinguished.

[@petranilla14]

Those trees are 1 of the reasons I want to visit the US. Now I may never get to see them.

[@mozi3051]

They are many spots. Some in Oregon or even washington state.

[@kenfu9334]

very good keep it tight america and god bless the fire