LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The California firefighter officials announced Sunday morning that a huge wildfire burning in and around Yosemite National Park had been fully contained and the firefighting works had cost more than 100 million U.S. dollars.
The fire, dubbed Ferguson Fire, began July 13 the burned across 96,901 acre (around 390 square km)mountain land and destroyed 10 structures. Two firefighters lost their lives fighting the blaze and 19 were injured., meanwhile evacuations were ordered for several communities nearby.
The destructive fire didn't reach the heart of the famous park, but it burned in remote areas, making roads inaccessible, choking the park with smoke and forcing the Yosemite Valley and other areas to be closed along with hundreds of campsites and hotels.
Firefighters said fighting the fire cost a total of 116.9 million U.S. dollars. During the most dangerous time, a total of 910 personnel were battling the blaze on the scene, aided by 51 engines and 3 helicopters, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, glaciers, biological diversity and so on. Some 4 million visitors flock to the park each year.
