A campfire left untended sparked a blaze near Yosemite National Park that is threatening hundreds of homeowners - but firefighters are starting to get a handle on it.

About 500 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders, including one that belongs to Mariposa County Supervisor Kevin Cann.

"My cats are with some friends and the dogs are with some other friends," Cann told CNN affiliate KPGE.

More than 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze in the steep, rugged terrain west of Yosemite.