Northern Calif. Wildfire Rages on Near Yosemite National Park

(NECN/NBC News: Jay Gray) Among the dozens of wildfires burning this morning across the west, one of the most severe is out of control in the mountains of northern California. The fire is raging near Yosemite National Park.

This fire is threatening many towns, including Tuolumne, California. Pushed by winds gusts that are reaching over 40 miles an hour, the wildfire is continuing its attack, but so does the army of teams pouring into the northern California mountains to battle the massive blaze.

"All day, every day... All night long. So we're up to about more than 2,800 personnel on the fire and it's the number one fire in the country right now so they're giving us what we need,” said Bjorin Fredrickson of the US Forest Service.

These crews are digging out fire lines and moving out dried trees and other potential fuel for the flames.

"We're trying to save the public, save these dwellings and these houses and make it safe for everybody,” added John Barbaree, a member of the fire crew.

Eleven homes have already been lost, and another 4,500 are in danger. This fire is spreading in every direction and swallowing everything in its path.

"It's just been scary. It's a scary thing. It's just the waiting game. You can't know what's happening. There is fire on both sides of the highway and our house is surrounded by fire," stated Dharma Barsotti, an evacuated resident.

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