LOS ANGELES, July 27 (Xinhua) -- A raging fire burning near the entrance of the Yosemite National Park in Northern California has forced the evacuation of 170 homes, firefighters said on Sunday.

    The fire also prompted officials to cut power to the park, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

    Most of the evacuated homes are in the town of Midpines, located along Highway 140, the thoroughfare that leads to the west entrance of the park, Berlant said.

    The fire grew from about 1,000 acres (405 hectares) to around 16,000 acres (6480 hectares), according to Berlant.

    About 900 firefighters battled the blaze that burned on both sides of a steep, rugged canyon along the Merced River near the park.

    State fire spokeswoman Karen Guillemin said the cause of the fire "is definitely target shooting," but would not elaborate.