Cal Fire: Lawn mower caused massive French fire near Yosemite

A lawnmower on dry grass sparked the French Fire that scorched 908 acres and destroyed four homes near Yosemite earlier this month, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire began on July 4 and quickly encroached on the town of Mariposa southwest of Yosemite National Park. In the midst of a heat wave, temperatures soared far above 100 degrees as the fire threatened the town’s northeast side, including its hospital and high school.

Around 1000 residents received evacuation orders.