Certain Evacuation Advisories Lifted For Areas Near Rim Fire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Evacuation advisories for some communities north of the giant fire burning near Yosemite National Park are no longer in place, as crews make progress against the blaze.

Officials say the advisories for Tuolumne City, Soulsbyville and Willow Springs were lifted on Thursday. The advisory remains in place for other communities in the area, and mandatory evacuations are in place along the fire's southeastern edge.

The fire had burned about 315 square miles as of Friday morning, up from about 311 square miles the previous night. Containment remained at 32 percent.

Nearly 5,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, but in another sign of progress, California fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said that number was likely to drop on Friday.

The fire's cost has risen to $47 million.

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