Yosemite National Park Fire Spread Slowed by Cooler Weather

Cooler weather on Monday slowed the spread of a wildfire that forced the helicopter evacuation of dozens of people from the famous Half Dome rock in Yosemite National Park.

The fire, which had burned about 4 square miles of timberland, wasn’t threatening any buildings. The park remained open, but some campsites were closed.

About 120 firefighters and 11 aircraft fought the blaze, which may have erupted from embers of a fire sparked by lightning several weeks ago, officials said.

Firefighters had monitored and controlled that fire before winds and temperatures increased on Sunday.

On Sunday, 100 people were evacuated from Little Yosemite Valley, and 80 to 85 were removed by helicopter from the top of 5,000-foot Half Dome.