Mariposa , California ( CNN ) -- More than 2,000 firefighters rushed Tuesday to save hundreds of homes near Yosemite National Park , which are threatened by a blaze alarming for its size , speed and the fact it 's striking so early in California 's wildfire season . The Carstens Fire `` is exhibiting extreme behavior to include fire whirls and strong adverse winds , '' reported California 's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , which is known as CalFire . That has left many in the affected area on edge , including some told to grab whatever they can from their home and get to safety . Orlando Vigil is one of them , telling CNN affiliate KGPE that it 's been stressful for animals he took from his property to the Mariposa County Fairgrounds . They 're safe now , but he 's not so sure about his home . `` We 'll see if there 's anything when when we get back , '' Vigil said . Summer wildfires are nothing new in California . But this one is happening weeks earlier than normal , and comes as parts of the state experience `` exceptional '' dryness that could fuel flames . `` We usually see this sort of fire behavior in August . This is June , '' said Gary Wuchner , fire spokesman for Yosemite National Park . `` It 's making us nervous . '' The Carstens Wildfire was first spotted Sunday afternoon , after embers from a campfire that had n't been totally put out spread into surrounding forest . By Tuesday night , it had burned nearly 1,900 acres , of which 40 % was considered contained , according to CalFire . Some 2,200 fire personnel were working the scene , using 53 engines , 11 water tenders . eight bulldozers and other equipment . At least 800 structures are imperiled by the blaze , with some residents taking up shelter at Mariposa Elementary School . Red Cross officials are there with food , medical help and other basics . `` We also have a mental health worker to help those that are overstressed emotionally from the ordeal of being uprooted from their home , '' Cindy Thomas of the Red Cross told KGPE . Not everyone is heeding the calls to evacuate , however . Among them is Paul `` Bear '' Vasquez . More than 37 million people have viewed his YouTube video showing him becoming overjoyed and then breaking down at the site of a vibrant double rainbow over a mountain in 2010 . Today , that mountain is singed by the Carstens Fire . But Vasquez says he 's staying on the property he bought in 1998 , hacking out of the wilderness a spot for the home where he 's raised his children . `` I am the protector of this land , '' he said . `` I am part of this place . It has magical powers and I ca n't leave . '' CNN 's Miguel Marquez reported from Mariposa , California , and Greg Botelho reported and wrote this story from Atlanta .
California : The fire has burned nearly 1,900 acres and is 100 % contained . More than 2,200 fire fighters are fighting Carstens Fire ; 300 structures threatened . The blaze is striking in and around Mairposa Valley near Yosemite National Park . The fire is burning weeks before the normal start of wildfire season in California .