The growing wildfire in California threatens some of the tallest grove of giant sequoia trees in the Yosemite National Park.
Large flames scorched nearly 1,600 acres (648 hectares) of timber and brush at the southern end of the park on Sunday.
The Mariposa Grove is home to 500 of the world’s largest trees, including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant.
As many as 1,600 people have been evacuated from the area since the wildfire broke out in the national park at the height of the summer tourism season, Park Service spokesperson Nancy Phillipe said.
Firefighters have been taking special measures to protect the grove from the blaze.
They have used sprinkler systems and the team of firefighters have worked to clear away any undergrowth that could become a potential fuel for the fire.
So far none of the giant sequoia trees have been lost in the raging flames, a Park Service spokesperson said.
The towering trees are a major draw for tourists to the national park.
The fire has been stoked by extremely dry, hot conditions worsening over the weekend.
It was first reported by visitors on the Washburn Trail of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Best-known attractions in the national park, including Yosemite Valley, remain accessible to visitors from its western entrance.
Smoke and soot have dimmed views of landmarks such as the towering granite formations of El Capitan and Half Dome.
On Sunday, the Yosemite fire information spokesperson added: “Today it’s actually the smokiest that we’ve seen. Up until this morning, the park has not been in that unhealthy category, but that is where we are now.”
The cause of the Washburn Fire remains under investigation.
Hundreds of the trees have perished in six major wildfires that have raged through California’s Sierra Nevada range over the past six years.
