Wildfire outside Yosemite National Park prompts evacuations

FRESNO, Calif. -- Evacuations are in place for the community of Foresta as firefighters battle a wildfire outside Yosemite National Park.

The fire is burning in Merced Canyon, near El Portal, and has burned between 300 and 500 acres, according to dispatchers.

The National Park Service's Turtleback Dome and Air Quality Webcam shows a large amount of smoke billowing into the air.

Foresta is considered to be directly threatened, authorities said.

Crews are attacking the flames from the air and ground.

The cause of the fire is not known, but ABC30 in Fresno is told it was not sparked by lightning.