Wildfires Grow Across the West

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — An out-of-control wildfire threatening more than 2,000 structures near Yosemite National Park is one of more than 50 active, large blazes dotting the western U.S. The remote blaze in Stanislaus National Forest west of Yosemite has grown to more than 25 square miles and is only 5 percent contained Wednesday, threatening homes, hotels and camp buildings. Across California, over 7,000 firefighters are battling a dozen major wildfires that have charred more than 100,000 acres. In Montana, a wildfire burning west of Missoula has surpassed 13 square miles and destroyed five homes. In Oregon, a fire in the Columbia Gorge has grown to 13 square miles, forcing evacuations and burning a third home. And in Idaho, progress is reported in the fight against the nearly 169-square-mile Beaver Creek fire.