Firefighters Encounter Bears In Yosemite National Park

Firefighters have been battling a wildfire in Yosemite National Park and have had to deal with steep terrain, deep forest brush, heat and bears.

The U.S. Forest Service says that bears have become a major issue with fire crew safety. “Extensive measures are being taken not to attract bears to the food and other supplies.” In Yosemite, bears are known to easily sneak into campgrounds and take campes food.

For weeks the Yosemitie wildfire had went undetected while buring about 20 acres in a remote section of wilderness. It was not until mid-August that the fire was discovered. On Sunday however, it became a danger when strong winds fueled it to 2,600 acres a day.

Over the last few days firefighters were given the upper hand on the blaze which now has burned about 4,900 acres. The fire is now 50 percent contained.

To stop the spread of the fire, crews have been using the parks granite barriers to their advantage and have slowed the spread of the fire.