MARIPOSA, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters battling a huge forest fire in the Sierra Nevada will face increasingly difficult conditions this week as a heat wave sets in.
Officials say the Ferguson Fire has scorched nearly 53 square miles of timber and brush west of Yosemite National Park, and 13 percent of its perimeter is contained Monday morning.
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The National Weather Service says a widespread heat advisory including the fire area will be in effect Tuesday afternoon through Thursday evening for high temperatures ranging from 103 to 108 degrees.
More than 3,000 firefighters are battling the fire, which broke out July 13. One firefighter died the following day and six others have been injured.
Thirteen areas are under mandatory evacuation orders.