Massive wildfire in California

(Vatican Radio) Firefighters are battling a massive blaze stretching over more than a hundred square miles in northern California. The fire spread into Yosemite National Park on Friday as authorities urged more evacuations in nearby communities where thousands of people fled during the week as flames spread across the western Sierra Nevada.

Officials issued voluntary evacuation advisories for two new towns on Friday. A mandatory evacuation order remained in effect for part of Pine Mountain Lake, a summer gated community that's a few miles from the fire line.

Mike Dueitt of the US Fish and Wildlife Service said authorities are concerned about damage to essential infrastructure and affects on the water supply. “We’re dealing with protecting those as much as possible,” he said.

More than 4,000 residences are also being threatened by the blaze.Listen: