Federal officials ordered more evacuations Friday for the western side of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks after a wildfire burning for more than a month continued to rage out of control, threatening ancient sequoia trees.
The Rough fire started July 31 and has burned more than 119,069 acres, or 186 square miles of park land, and is 29% contained. Crews have been trying to cut off the fire’s path by burning its fuel and cutting lines in the forest, but steady heat and wind have continued to encourage the fire’s expansion.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks lie in the southern Sierra Nevada and are home to some of the largest and oldest living trees, including a stand of ancient sequoias that could be in the fire's path.