Yosemite Catches Wildfire [RAW FOOTAGE]: How Much Damage Did It Cost? [VIDEO & REPORT]

By Jobs & Hire Staff Reporter | Aug 23, 2013 03:15 PM EDT

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Although California's "Rim" wildfire has already damaged 165 square miles, it continues to wreak havoc to the area by devouring a remote section of the Yosemite National Park on Friday, yet Yosemite Valley remains to feel unthreatened, with its park still open to tourists and visitors.

Despite the alleged safety of the valley, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown is strongly pushing for a declaration of state of emergency since only 2% of the 165-square-mile "Rim" fire has been contained as of late.

The burning blaze is threatening approximately 4,500 residences, added California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesperson Daniel Berlant.

"Most of the fire activity is pushing to the east right into Yosemite," Berlant added.

Nevertheless, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Bjorn Fredrickson assured the visitors of the park that the fire is not at all threatening, noting that it is only confined to a remote section of Lake Eleanor. "There is no immediate threat to the valley at this time."

On the other hand, a 4-mile stretch in one of the entrances to the park, State Route 120, has been closed down due to the devastating effects of the California blaze.

According to an updated report from the U.S. Forest Service, about 2,011 responding firefighters are doing their best to battle against the "Rim" wildfire with the aid of nine helicopters.

Authorities are now asking the residents of the 300 homes in a nearby community to evacuate their properties for their own safety, despite claims from previous reports have announced that the valley will be left unharmed.

A famous bluegrass music festival in time for the Labor Day celebration, scheduled to happen in the same community, has been cancelled earlier.

Respondents revealed that the California fire has already harmed 7 buildings, 2 homes, and an indeterminate amount of other types of properties.

The California blaze is just one of the 61 on-going large fires nationwide.

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