The USA is battling wildfires. The Washburn fire in the state of California threatened the Mariposa Grove, which is home to giant sequoia trees, in the southernmost part of Yosemite National Park. Park officials stated that the fire continued in an area of ​​60 to 70 acres, and the flames were approaching near the grove. The grove is closed until the next announcement, while the firefighters continue their work from the air and land to extinguish the fire.

Mariposa Grove is home to more than 500 giant sequoia trees. The grove was established in 1857, however sequoias were in the area much earlier, and some are more than 2,000 years old.

Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country, attracting more than 3.3 million visitors in 2021.