UPDATE: RIM FIRE GROWS TO SIZE OF CHICAGO, THREATENS SAN FRANCISCO RESERVOIR AND ENERGY SUPPLY
The California "Rim" wildfire has currently raged through 165 square miles and moved into a small section of Yosemite National Park on Friday.
The fire, which has tripled in size on Thursday, has forced tourists to leave Yosemite park and businesses to close.
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency as just 2 percent of the massive blaze has been contained so far, threatening over 4,500 residences.
U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jerry Snyder said Thursday that the fire is growing "expontentially."
"Most of the fire activity is pushing to the east right into Yosemite," Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said. The fire is currently confined to the area around Lake Eleanor and there is no immediate threat to the valley at the moment.
Yosemite Park still remains open, but one of the entrances to the park on the west side has been closed down. 300 homes near the park have been urged to evacuate but it is not mandatory. Meanwhile, hundreds of nearby residents have already fled the area. A popular bluegrass music festival that was planned for Labor Day weekend has also been canceled.
The blaze has consumed two homes and nine structures.
Nearly 2,000 firefighters are working to contain the blaze.
Over 105,620 acres were burned by the "Rim"fire by Friday morning after it doubled in size overnight.
Two evacuation centers have been set up as residents in about 2,500 homes have been advised to evacuate.
