Bulldozers were being used in some areas to battle the South Fork Fire in Yosemite National Park/NPS

Crews continued Tuesday to attack a forest fire burning near Wawona in Yosemite National Park from the air and the ground, with concern on the weather as the possibility of thunderstorms spawning erratic winds in the afternoon was in the forecast.

While the more than 700 firefighters on the South Fork Fire were relying greatly on natural barriers as rocks, streams, and trails to slow the fire in the Yosemite Wilderness, outside the wilderness area, crews were being assisted by bulldozers.

On Monday, burning operations above Wawona were judged successful as crews brought the fire down the containment line to the South Fork of the Merced River. On Tuesday, the firefighters were to finish burning the lower area along the river and continue to mop up on the west side. Firefighters were also placed along the southeast portion of the fire to check the eastern spread and monitor the fireline north of the river.

Mandatory evacuations remained in place in Wawona for the area east of Highway 41 on Forest Drive and Chilnualna Falls Road. The fire, estimated to cover 3,800 acres, was within three-quarters-of-a-mile of the community.

"The fire continues to pose a threat to Wawona, (and) the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. A combination of firing operations, air support, direct line construction and use of natural barriers are the current tactics being implemented to meet protection objectives," said Tuesday's fire release.