Fire burning in Yosemite National Park is near some of the largest trees on the planet

The Washburn Fire was reported Thursday in Yosemite National Park’s Mariposa Grove, home to more than 500 mature giant sequoias.

It wasn’t immediately clear Thursday whether the fire had damaged or threatened the historic tree grove.

The park service first reported the fire just before 5:30 p.m. Thursday via Twitter. First reports said flames had consumed about eight acres, but later grew to 60 to 70 acres. Few other details were immediately available. Another update by the park service will be made Friday morning, spokesman Scott Gediman said.

Smoke from the Washburn Fire could be seen from Fresno.

According to the park’s website, the Mariposa Grove was set aside as protected federal land in 1864 when then-President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation protecting Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley for “public use, resort, and recreation.”

“This landmark legislation holds an important place in our country’s history and was enacted at a time when the nation was embroiled in the Civil War,” the park service says. “For the first time in our nation’s history, the federal government set aside scenic natural areas to be protected for the benefit of future generations.”

The Mariposa Grove was added to Yosemite National Park in 1906.

Grizzly Giant is the most well-known tree in the Mariposa Grove. At 209 feet, it is one of the largest trees in the world and is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.