Fire in Yosemite
A wildfire burns next to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sept. 7, 2014.
As of Monday, the fire has burned through about four square miles.
Fire in Little Yosemite Valley
A fire rises above Little Yosemite Valley near Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sept. 7, 2014. About 100 Yosemite National Park visitors were evacuated from the top of Half Dome by helicopter Sunday when a wildfire that started weeks ago in the park's backcountry grew unexpectedly to at least 700 acres, officials said.
View from Half Dome
Fire rises above Little Yosemite Valley near Yosemite National Park, Calif, Sept. 7, 2014.
About 100 Yosemite National Park visitors were evacuated from the top of Half Dome by helicopter Sunday when a wildfire that started weeks ago in the park's backcountry grew unexpectedly to at least 700 acres, officials said.
Helicopter rescue on Half Dome
In this Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 photo provided by Rachel Kirk, hikers are evacuated from Yosemite National Park, Calif. About 100 Yosemite National Park visitors were evacuated from the top of Half Dome by helicopter Sunday when a wildfire that started weeks ago in the park's backcountry grew unexpectedly to at least 700 acres, officials said.
Fire in Little Yosemite Valley
A wildfire burns next to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, Calif., Sept. 7, 2014. As of Monday, the fire has burned through about four square miles.
View from Half Dome
Hikers take photos of smoke from a fire rising above Little Yosemite Valley near Yosemite National Park, Calif. About 100 Yosemite National Park visitors were evacuated from the top of Half Dome by helicopter Sunday when a wildfire that started weeks ago in the park's backcountry grew unexpectedly to at least 700 acres, officials said.
Awaiting rescue on Half Dome
In this Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, photo, provided by Rachael Kirk, hikers wait to be evacuated from the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, Calif. A wildfire burning for weeks in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park grew unexpectedly, forcing the helicopter evacuation of about 100 park visitors.
Park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said some of the evacuees Sunday included hikers who had climbed the park's iconic Half Dome peak, rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. Others had to be airlifted from campgrounds and hiking trails in the area.
Meadow Fire
The Meadow Fire burns near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California, Sept. 8, 2014.
The Meadow Fire, which flared out of control on Sunday afternoon, stranded 85 hikers on top of Half Dome, the park's signature rock formation, requiring them to be flown out by helicopter, Yosemite spokeswoman Ashley Mayer said.