Map: Washburn Fire perimeter and evacuations in Yosemite

In its seventh day, the Washburn Fire is growing beyond Yosemite’s eastern boundary, with fire managers describing a “perfect recipe for very active fire behavior.”

As of Wednesday morning, the fire had burned 3,772 acres (5.9 square miles) and was 17% contained, federal fire managers said. That was an increase of 256 acres from the previous evening. The map above shows the approximate burn area in black.

The fire started Thursday in the Mariposa Grove area.

Almost all its growth since Monday has been east of the park, in the Sierra National Forest. It has burned up to the South Fork of the Merced River; firefighters have extinguished the spot fires on the river’s north side, where young vegetation is taking hold in the burn footprint of the 2017 South Fork Fire.

The report Wednesday morning from federal fire managers said continued warm and dry weather and heavy accumulation of large fuels are factors in the fire’s activity. They said smoke is expected to remain heavy, particularly in the afternoon.

Evacuation orders remain in place for a 20-square-mile area including Wawona. The map below shows the evacuation area in red, and the fire advisory area in yellow.