Evacuation advisories lifted for some communities to north of Yosemite fire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- 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 (too-AH'-loo-mee) 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 per cent.

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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  Firefighter Troy Drouin takes a short break before mopping up hot spots near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. The giant wildfire burning at the edge of Yosemite National Park is 23 percent contained, U.S. fire officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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  Inmate firefighters walk along state Highway 120 as firefighters battle the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013. (AP / Jae C. Hong, File)