Washington  - A heavy new forest fire in the US state of California near an entrance to Yosemite National Park has destroyed at least 12 homes and at least 200 others have been evacuated.

Thousands of further homes are threatened by the flames, reported the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday in their online edition.

Some 1,900 firefighters are being supported by airplanes and helicopters dropping water and fire retardant.

Meanwhile in the southwestern US state of New Mexico 300 homes were evacuated after heavy rainfall inundated their homes.

On late Sunday evening local time the California fire was raging over 100 square kilometers and only ten per cent contained.

A fire-brigade spokesman said the fire is burning in all directions making it difficult to control. Adding to the difficulty of the fire this week meteorologists expect hot and dry weather.

At present there is no danger for Yosemite visitors, a park spokesman said. However authorities have shut off electricty to Yosemite Village to protect firefighters working in the proximity of powerlines from electrocution because smoke can conduct electricity.

Hotels and restaurants were using generators and the park remained opened. The fire is reaching Yosemite during the high point of the tourism season.

Guests in the park have expressed anxiety about the fire, but the current problem was limited to bad air quality and poor views.

Since the end of June the west coast state has already suffered from enormous forest fires. Fires have charred more than 3,400 square kilometers. (dpa)