Yosemite Fire 2013 Map Update: Rim Fire Contained 20% by Monday Evening

By Eric Chen 27 Aug, 2013 12:08 EDT

Nearly 3,700 firefighters working on the ground and from the air have fought the California wildfire near the Yosemite National Park, known as the Rim Fire, and established 20% containment, up from 15% at the beginning of the day.

The fire has burned through at least 251 square miles. At least 23 structures are destroyed and 4,500 more are threatened.

While the fire rages 20 miles away, Yosemite National Park remains open with tourists and campers visiting. Park ranger Scott Gediman said Ahwahnee Hotel and Curry Village located in Yosemite Valley, home to Half Dome, and almost all park areas are open.

“We’ve got clear blue skies here in Yosemite Valley,” he said, according to USA Today. “The park is busy. I was just out walking around, and there are plenty of people here.” In addition, the fire is burning on about 22,000 acres in the northwest portion of the park, “but that’s just 3% of the park as a whole,” he said.

Despite the park ranger’s optimism, firefighters, aided by 15 helicopters and 460 fire engines, are working hard to contain the fire as it is rated as having “extreme” growth potential.

The Rime fire is burning half a mile away from Hetch Hetchy reservoir, San Francisco’s main source of water, but contrary to past reports, the water supply is safe, said Charles Sheehan, a spokesman for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, according to USA Today.

“There’s no change to water quality,” Sheehan said. “We have instruments monitoring the water constantly.” Should the water turbidity changes significantly, the utility would switch to suppliers of water from nearby reservoirs.

Dry conditions are expected through Tuesday, but an isolated storm is possible, said Weather Channel meteorologist Chris Dolce. Although rainfall is beneficial, lightning and gusty winds may hinder containment of the fire.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Yosemite Fire 2013 Map Update: Rim Fire Contained 20% by Monday Evening

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.