This photo obtained August 30, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest Service, shows a Hotshot walking the fire line on August 29, 2013. The wildfire threatening Yosemite National Park is spreading further into the US tourist landmark, officials said as they battled to stop it clouding a holiday weekend. Efforts to contain the so-called Rim Fire, which has grown to become California's sixth biggest wildfire ever, were also being boosted by the deployment of a military drone approved by the Pentagon. The fire, which now covers more than 192,000 acres, or 300 square miles, and is 30 percent contained, has also threatened San Francisco's water supply, due to ash falling on a key reservoir. AFP PHOTO / US FOREST SERVICE/Mike McMillan == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / MANDATORY CREDIT: "AFP PHOTO / US FOREST SERVICE/ Mike McMillan/ NO MARKETING / NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS / DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ==Mike McMillan/AFP/Getty Images Photo: Mike Mcmillan, AFP/Getty ImagesThis photo obtained August 30, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest...
FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2013 file photo, a deer takes refuge alongside the road in the city of Groveland, Calif., on the edge of the Rim Fire which continues to burn in the Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't pay to be a dateline in a disaster story, as the folks around Groveland will tell you. On what would have been the busiest weekend of the summer had the Strawberry Music Festival not been cancelled, hotel rooms are empty and the local coffee roaster got rid of all 6 employees because the road to Yosemite is closed. One hotelier has had $20,000 in cancellations just this week. In the park, tourists are enjoying elbow room as hard-to-get campsite and lodging rooms are full but day tourists are staying away out of fear of fire and smoke. (AP Photo /Elias Funez, The Modesto Bee, File) LOCAL TV OUT (KXTV10, KCRA3, KOVR13, FOX40, KMAX31, KQCA58, CENTRAL VALLEY TV); LOCAL PRINT OUT (TURLOCK JOURNAL, CERES COURIER, OAKDALE LEADER, MODESTO VIEW, PATTERSON IRRIGATOR, MANTECA BULLETIN, RIPON, RECROD, SONORA UNION DEMOCRAT, AMADOR LEDGER DISPATCH, ESCALON TIMES, CALAVERAS ENTERPRISE, RIVERBANKS NEWS) LOCAL INTERNET OUT (TURLOCK CITY NEWS.COM, MOTHER LODE.COM) Photo: Elias Funez, Associated PressFILE - In this Aug. 26, 2013 file photo, a deer takes refuge...
Workers cut trees burn by the Rim Fire along Highway 120 near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. The giant wildfire burning at the edge of Yosemite National Park is 23 percent contained, U.S. fire officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated PressWorkers cut trees burn by the Rim Fire along Highway 120 near...
GROVELAND, CA - AUGUST 28: An El Dorado Hills firefighter takes a break from battling the Rim Fire on August 28, 2013 near Groveland, California. Over 3,500 firefighters are battling the destructive Rim Fire that has charred 180,000 acres and has entered a section of Yosemite National Park. The fire is currently 23 percent contained. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesGROVELAND, CA - AUGUST 28: An El Dorado Hills firefighter takes a...
Firefighter Russell Mitchell monitors a back burn during the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Unnaturally long intervals between wildfires and years of drought primed the Sierra Nevada for the explosive conflagration chewing up the rugged landscape on the edge of Yosemite National Park, forestry experts say. The fire had ravaged 282 square miles by Tuesday, the biggest in the Sierra's recorded history and one of the largest on record in California.Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Firefighter Russell Mitchell monitors a back burn during the Rim...
This photo obtained August 28, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest Service, shows a view from Pilot Peak lookout of the Rim Fire . The wildfire threatening Yosemite National Park is still burning its way into the huge US tourist attraction despite dogged efforts by thousands of firefighters using planes and bulldozers. Ash is gathering on the surface of a reservoir serving San Francisco, but officials said water quality has not been affected. The so-called Rim Fire -- California's seventh biggest ever -- now covers some 281 square miles , an area bigger than Chicago. The fire, which broke out August 17, was still only 20 percent contained compared to 15 percent on August 26, 2013. Highway 120, a main road into Yosemite from the west, remains closed as more than 3,700 firefighters battle the flames.Photo: Mike Mcmillan, AFP/Getty Images
This photo obtained August 28, 2013 courtesy of the US Forest...
A Smokey the Bear sign is posted along US highway 120 as the Rim Fire burns out of control on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA Smokey the Bear sign is posted along US highway 120 as the Rim...
A vehicle from San Andreas fire department drives by a back fire as crews battle the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA vehicle from San Andreas fire department drives by a back fire as...
A firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitors a back fire as he battles the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA firefighter from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitors a back fire...
Firefighter Russell Mitchell, left, monitors a back burn during the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Unnaturally long intervals between wildfires and years of drought primed the Sierra Nevada for the explosive conflagration chewing up the rugged landscape on the edge of Yosemite National Park, forestry experts say. The fire had ravaged 282 square miles by Tuesday, the biggest in the Sierra's recorded history and one of the largest on record in California.Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Firefighter Russell Mitchell, left, monitors a back burn during the...
Flames from the Rim Fire burn near a road sign pointing towards Yosemite on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesFlames from the Rim Fire burn near a road sign pointing towards...
Firefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesFirefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire...
Firefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 21, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesFirefighters from Ebbetts Pass Fire District monitor a back fire...
An air tanker drops fire retardant on a ridge ahead of the advancing Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesAn air tanker drops fire retardant on a ridge ahead of the...
Firefighters from Cosumnes Fire Department monitor a back fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 22, 2013 in Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 2,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesFirefighters from Cosumnes Fire Department monitor a back fire...
A coyote walks across U.S. Highway 120, shut down due to the Rim Fire on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA coyote walks across U.S. Highway 120, shut down due to the Rim...
The remains of a small tree stands near a grove of trees burned by the Rim Fire outside of Camp Mather on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesThe remains of a small tree stands near a grove of trees burned by...
Firefighters move in to douse a spot fire while battling the Rim Fire on August 24, 2013 in Yosemite National Park, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesFirefighters move in to douse a spot fire while battling the Rim...
The Rim Fire consumes trees on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Rim Fire consumes trees on August 24, 2013 near Groveland,...
A firefighter uses a hose to douse the flames of the Rim Fire on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA firefighter uses a hose to douse the flames of the Rim Fire on...
A member of the West Stanislaus County Fire Department monitors the Rim Fire along highway 120 on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA member of the West Stanislaus County Fire Department monitors the...
A member of the West Stanislaus County Fire Department monitors the Rim Fire along highway 120 on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. Photo: Getty ImagesA member of the West Stanislaus County Fire Department monitors the...
Smoke from the Rim Fire fills the sky on August 24, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesSmoke from the Rim Fire fills the sky on August 24, 2013 near...
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service firefighter Corey Adams sits on a tree stump as he monitors the Rim Fire on August 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. Photo: Getty ImagesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service firefighter Corey Adams sits on a...
Flames from the Rim Fire consume trees on August 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesFlames from the Rim Fire consume trees on August 25, 2013 near...
Trees burned by the Rim Fire stand on August 25, 2013 in Yosemite National Park, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesTrees burned by the Rim Fire stand on August 25, 2013 in Yosemite...
A burned car sits on the side of the road after being consumed by the Rim Fire on August 25, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Getty ImagesA burned car sits on the side of the road after being consumed by...
Inmate firefighters walk along state Highway 120 as firefighters continue to battle the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013. Fire crews are clearing brush and setting sprinklers to protect two groves of giant sequoias as a massive week-old wildfire rages along the remote northwest edge of Yosemite National Park. Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated PressInmate firefighters walk along state Highway 120 as firefighters...
Cars pass under a sign thanking firefighters that hangs over highway 120 on August 27, 2013 in Groveland, California. As the Rim Fire continues to burn in and around Yosemite National Park, local businesses along highway 120 are taking a financial hit as tourists are diverted to other entrances to the park due to the closure of highway 120. Over 3,500 firefighters are battling the blaze that has charred 180,000 acres and has entered a section of Yosemite National Park. The fire is currently 20 percent contained.Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Cars pass under a sign thanking firefighters that hangs over...
A homemade sign thanking firefighters is posted on highway 120 on August 27, 2013 in Groveland, California. As the Rim Fire continues to burn in and around Yosemite National Park, local businesses along highway 120 are taking a financial hit as tourists are diverted to other entrances to the park due to the closure of highway 120. Over 3,500 firefighters are battling the blaze that has charred 180,000 acres and has entered a section of Yosemite National Park. The fire is currently 20 percent contained. Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesA homemade sign thanking firefighters is posted on highway 120 on...
