Yosemite Fire Threatens Bay Area's Power and Water Supplies

Over the weekend, a massive fire burning near Yosemite National Park continued to grow, prompting Governor Brown to declare a state of emergency for San Francisco County (more than 100 miles to the west) and altering the area's treasured landscape.

1 minute read

August 26, 2013, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Having burned 144,000 acres since it started more than a week ago near Yosemite National Park, the Rim Fire quickly became one of California's largest wildfires on record over the weekend. And while crews have reported making progress in battling the blaze, the fire was still only 7 percent contained as of Sunday and continued to threaten a major source of San Francisco’s water and power supplies.      

"Fire crews continued to battle the blaze on the ground and from the air Sunday, and strong winds from the south were expected to push the fire to the north and east - driving it farther into the northwest corner of Yosemite National Park and in the direction of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the main source of drinking water for 2.6 million people in the Bay Area," reports John Coté.

"So far, there have been no interruptions to the water supply, and testing has shown no change in drinking water quality since the fire began, said Tyrone Jue, a spokesman for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission."

"The same could not be said for the city's hydropower generation," notes Coté. "Two of three power production plants downriver from the reservoir had to shut down before the fire swept through, prompting the city to rely on reciprocal agreements with other utilities and to spend about $600,000 buying supplemental power to make up the shortfall, Jue said." 

Sunday, August 25, 2013 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic