LOS ANGELES, 19 July (BelTA - Xinhua) - Californian Governor Jerry Brown issued a state of emergency in Mariposa County Tuesday as a wildfire continues to grow.
The wildfire, coded "Detwiler Fire", began to rage to 25,000 acres from day two in the mountains just outside Yosemite National Park, with only 5 percent contained.
Under the order of Brown, about 2,000 residents were evacuated from Mariposa city, some 440 km north of Los Angeles.
In a state of emergency, the California National Guard could be mobilized if necessary.
According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), about 780 firefighters are currently battling the blaze, with at least 100 engines, nine airtankers, five helicopters, and four water tenders on the scene.
The National Weather Service also issued Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches which is the highest alert on Tuesday to warn fire departments of critical weather and dry conditions in the coming 12 to 72 hours that could lead to rapid or dramatic deterioration of the wildfire.
