08/27/08

Cooler temperatures - higher humidity - and more favorable winds helped fire fighters make some progress against the East Slide Rock Ridge Fire.

The fire burned 4,000 new acres of grass and timber yesterday. That brings the total acreage burned to more than 42,000 acres so far.

More than five hundred fire fighters are battling the blaze right now. There are half a dozen helicopters - the same amount of bull dozers - and more than two dozen engines on the fire

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20 firefighters from Yosemite National Park have joined the battle against the South Barker Blaze near Featherville.

Over 150 people are currently working to control the 24,000 acre wildfire.

Breezy conditions today caused some problems - although lower temperatures made things a little less strenuous for fire crews.

Some roads in the area are closed - and the popular Baumgartner Campground - along with 5 other campgrounds - remains closed.