Wildfire: Mandatory Evacuations Ordered Near Yosemite

A fast-moving wildfire has forced thousands from their homes in Central California.

The blaze in Madera County has grown from 500 to 1,200 acres.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for 13,000 homes and businesses. Another 2,500 calls have alerted people that they may have to evacuate, too.

Four hotels in the Oakhurst community, about 16 miles from Yosemite National Park, also received evacuation orders.

State Route 41 has been closed down and classes for most of the Yosemite Unified School District were cancelled Tuesday.

Firefighters are trying to prevent the blaze from reaching a propane business in the area, with 30,000 gallon tanks on site.