An out-of-control wildfire burning Sunday near an entrance to Yosemite National Park has destroyed eight homes and threatened thousands more as flames forced authorities to cut power to the park, reported The Associated Press. The blaze has charred more than 18,000 acres (7,000 hectares) since Friday as wooded slopes ignited amid hot, dry conditions that have plagued California for months. The fire was completely uncontained Sunday. In Southern California, visitors were evacuated Sunday from the Los Angeles zoo as a fast-moving brush fire burned nearby in Griffith Park. The five-acre (2-hectare) blaze burned within about 1,000 feet (300 meters) of a California condor enclosure. The rare birds were not in immediate danger and fire fighters were on hand to protect the cages. About 200 firefighters were at the scene, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers said. Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States, was closed, a city dispatcher said. Meanwhile, near Yosemite National Park, the wildfire led officials to order the evacuations of 170 homes under immediate threat. About 2,000 homes faced at least some danger from the fast-spreading flames, according to fire officials. No injuries were reported. State fire spokeswoman Karen Guillemin said the blaze was sparked by someone target shooting but would not elaborate. About 2,000 firefighters were battling the blaze and hundreds more were headed to the scene along the Merced River west of Yosemite, one of the most visited U.S. national parks. Billowing smoke from the wildfire has cast a noticeable haze over much of the park, including the famed Yosemite Valley, park spokeswoman Julie Chavez said. To protect firefighters battling flames beneath power lines, electricity was cut to a wide area, including the national park, fire officials said.
