Firefighters were making some headway Monday into the Oak Fire burning near Yosemite National Park after the wildfire exploded in size over the weekend.
As of Monday morning, Cal Fire said the wildfire was 10% contained and had burned 16,791 acres, or more than 26 square miles, the state's largest wildfire this year. At least 15 homes or other structures have been destroyed in the fire and some 6,000 people have been evacuated.
Cal Fire said the Oak Fire activity on Monday was not as extreme as it has been in previous days. On the north side, the wildfire passed Sweetwater Ridge approaching the community of Mariposa Pines where firefighters held the line at Bear Clover Lane. Crews also were strengthening the fire line around the community of Lushmeadows in the northeastern edge of the fire.
"She's looking over my shoulder and this home that we had just got married at two weeks ago, it explodes and you're looking at it on a mobile phone," said Steve Ward. Some 2,000 firefighters have been working in steep terrain and triple-digit temperatures while battling the Oak Fire,California Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Mariposa County, citing"conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property."
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