Updated: A wildfire burning in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest has grown to more than 3,500 acres and is only about 16% contained, park officials said Saturday morning.
Park crews set the Big Meadow Fire on Wednesday as a prescribed burn, but it crossed containment lines. The fire is burning about two miles east of El Portal.
The fire and firefighting work have closed some roads, campgrounds and communities. Big Oak Flat Road is closed from the Crane Flat Gas Station to the intersection of El Portal Road and Big Oak Flat Road.
The Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat Campgrounds, Foresta, Old El Portal, and Yosemite View Lodge also remain closed, officials said. No opening date is projected.
Fire-related delays also are possible on Highway 140, authorities said.
On Friday, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said the number of firefighters battling the blaze was doubled to 1,000. Helicopters and air tankers also are fighting the fire.
Cobb said officials are not clear how the prescribed burn got out of control. She said it's possible an unexpected wind shift caused it to jump the control area.
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