LEE VINING - A blaze east of Yosemite that has so far consumed 740 acres of trees and brush was caused by a cooking fire.
According to information officer Joe Nishikida of the Truckee Meadows Fire District, firefighters traced the cause to a fire in an unimproved portion of the Inyo National Forest.
"We're not going to be able to tag anyone for the cause on this one," Nishikida said.
The fire is located between Lee Vining and the park south of Highway 120, the sole western entrance to Yosemite National Park.
About 240 people are working the fire, including former East Fork Fire District Chief Jim Reinhardt. Nishikida said there are also firefighters from Reno working the fire.
The blaze began Monday morning and high winds drove it to its present size.
According to Nishikida, a lack of winds on Tuesday actually slowed firefighters' attempt to control the blaze.
"We did not get some of the fire behavior that we were expecting. It may extend the time for full control," he said. "We have another day of heavy-duty clean-up."
Six hand crews, 12 fire engines, and five water tenders are working on the fire.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.
The Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators is managing the firefighting effort. Northern Nevada fire agencies are part of the cooperators.
The vegetation is mixed pine, pinon pine, juniper and sagebrush. No structures are threatened.
Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Lee Vining, Mammoth, Bridgeport and June Lake fire departments are working on the fire.
