Posted by: thepinetree on 08/07/2018 11:04 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 08/07/2018 11:04 PM
Expires: 01/01/2023 12:00 AM
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Ferguson Fire Update...94,992 Acres & 43% Contained, Roadways Starting to Open
Awahanee, CA, August 7, 2018 -Highway 120 is now open to Crane Flat Rd. The Ferguson Fire is now 94,992 acres with 43% containment and 2,357 personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 202 engines, 18 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 39 crews, 5 masticators and 33 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 11 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed. The Ferguson Fire is now the largest fire in the Sierra National Forest's History. This fire is being managed as a full suppression fire.
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The Ferguson Fire is now in its 26th day; the incident started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under unified command between the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, California Interagency Incident Management Team 3, and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Pockets of unburned vegetation remain inside the footprint of the fire, providing a more diversified landscape for plants and wildlife.
Please anticipate delays during your travels around the Ferguson Fire due to road conditions, fire traffic, weather, hazards and smoke conditions related to the fire.
Big Oak Flat Road west of Crane Flat (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) opened today. Travelers are advised to use caution while driving, conditions remain smoky. Containment of the fire perimeter from the Merced Grove west along Old Yosemite Road to Pilot Peak and through Anderson Valley was a key piece in opening of Highway 120. Firefighters constructed line around a small spot fire outside of the fire perimeter near the Merced Grove, today. Night crews will monitor the spot fire through the night. Spot fires remain a concern, however firefighters have been able to contain the spot fires detected.
Moderate fire behavior has allowed firefighters the opportunity to complete direct hand line in the Crane Creek drainage above El Portal. Direct hand line, or line directly on the fire’s edge, is only possible when the fire behavior is moderate and spotting potential is low. A combination of hand line and dozer line, has been constructed around the community of Foresta and firefighters have been successful in protecting all the structures in the community.
Fire is affecting three major roads leading into Yosemite Valley; Big Oak Flats Road, El Portal Road and Wawona Road. Securing the fire at Cascade Falls area is critical to prevent the movement of fire into the Valley and spreading to the South Rim and North Rims of the Valley. The fire is burning in extremely steep terrain between the Big Oak Flats Road and El Portal Road moving toward the Cascade Falls picnic area. Firefighters have hose lays above the big tunnel on the Big Oak Flats Road and are attempting to pinch off the fire in this area.
The hottest and most active part of the fire continues to be between Wawona Road, Glacier Point Road and Chinquapin. The fire is burning into old fire scars. Reduction of fuel within these fire scars enable crews to work directly on the fire’s edge. A small spot fire was worked in front of the main fire and crews constructed hand line around the fire. Crews will continue to monitor that spot fire while working to contain the main fire.
Yosemite West residents will be allowed to return to their homes this evening. Residents should expect delays due to hazards impacting the roadway such as falling trees and rock. When travelling between Wawona and Yosemite West expect delays as firefighters clear the road. Firefighters and utility crewmembers will continue to be working in the Yosemite West community. Hoses, pumps and sprinklers may still be in place in and around homes.
Suppression repair efforts are underway on the southern and western portions of the fire. This may include using heavy equipment to build water bars, bring in berms and vegetation if available. Repairing dozer lines and hand lines is important in order to reduce erosion during future storms and to allow vegetation regrowth. This also helps the restore the habitat of the local flora and fauna within the next few years. Repairs also include protection of cultural/archaeological sites by reducing access to those sites.
Residents will continue to see smoke and multiple smoke columns within the interior of the fire. Air quality and health advisories are available at the Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program for the Yosemite area and Southern Sierra area.
  
Fire behavior will decrease as a slight change in the weather occurs. Vegetation is dry and the potential for the fire to spread rapidly remains a possibility. Residents will continue to see smoke and multiple smoke columns.
Firefighters remain committed to fully suppressing this fire and are actively engaged, taking action to limit the fire’s spread when it is safe to do so. The fire activity inside Yosemite National Park is dynamic.
The following areas remain closed: Yosemite Valley, El Portal Road, Wawona Road, Big Oak Flat Road, Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona Campground, Crane Flat Campground, Tamarack Campground, and several other sections of the Park. Please visit www.nps.gov/yose for the most up to date information. The public is reminded to stay vigilant of firefighters and fire traffic along the roadways.
A large portion of Yosemite National Park remains open. Tioga Road from Tioga Pass to White Wolf is open to all visitors and vehicles. Most of the trails and campgrounds along this route, including the Tuolumne Meadows Campground are open. Visitor services along Tioga Road, including the High Sierra Camps and the Tuolumne Meadows Store are open. For more information, go to nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.
UPDATE: Morning Update, Evening Update for August 6, and Informe del Incendio.
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