Fast-spreading fire threatens Yosemite National Park

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US Forest Service firefighters are watching the rapidly spreading fire near Yosemite National Park

Photo: Eric Paul Zamora / dpa

A bushfire near Yosemite National Park expanded into one of California's biggest wildfires of the year on Saturday.

More than 2000 homes and businesses had to be evacuated.

According to official reports, the so-called Oak Fire, which broke out southwest of the park on Friday afternoon, has now grown to 26.5 square kilometers.

Just last week, firefighters made progress fighting an earlier blaze that threatened giant sequoia trees in the southernmost part of Yosemite Park.

Cause of the fire still unknown

As of Saturday morning, the fire had destroyed 10 homes and commercial buildings, damaged five others and threatened 2,000 other buildings, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported.

The rapidly growing conflagration led to numerous road closures.

More than 400 firefighters fought the blaze along with helicopters, other planes and bulldozers.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, officials said.

Local gas and electricity company Pacific Gas & Electric said on its website that more than 2,600 homes and businesses in the area were without power as of Friday afternoon.

There was no indication of when power would be restored.

ktz/AP