Firefighter Russell Mitchell monitors a back burn during the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Unnaturally long intervals between wildfires and years of drought primed the Sierra Nevada for the explosive conflagration chewing up the rugged landscape on the edge of Yosemite National Park, forestry experts say. The fire had ravaged 282 square miles by Tuesday, the biggest in the Sierra's recorded history and one of the largest on record in California. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Yosemite-area fire now 30 percent contained

BRIAN SKOLOFF AND TRACIE CONE
ASSOCIATED PRESS

GROVELAND - Crews building containment lines around the giant wildfire in the Sierra Nevada are making significant progress even as the blaze continues to grow.

California fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Wednesday that the 12-day-old Rim Fire burning in and around Yosemite National Park is now 30 percent contained. It has chewed through 301 square miles of rugged forest.

Berlant says while the fire is growing by about 5,000 to 10,000 acres a day, it's not nearly as active as it was. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds are aiding firefighters.

Officials plan to continue using a California National Guard Predator drone to give them almost immediate views of any portion of the flames.

Previously, ground commanders relied on helicopters that needed to refuel every two hours.

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