FISH CAMP — Mountain area residents awoke today to the glow of the Railroad Fire up on the mountain, cars dusted with ash, and a deep orange sunrise. The new estimate on the Railroad Fire after last night’s flyover is now 2,971 acres with zero percent containment. There are currently 437 personnel assigned to the incident including 35 engines, 10 ...
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No Estimated Date To Reopen Highway 41, Say Railroad Fire Officials
OAKHURST — To say it was standing room only would be a compete understatement, as hundreds crowded into the Oakhurst Community Center to hear from fire and law enforcement officials what they can expect in the coming days of the Railroad Fire. The fire is now estimated at 2,185 acres with zero percent containment. However, Incident Commander Deron Mills wanted to ...
Read More »Homeward Bound From Railroad Fire, Battalion Chief Dies In Traffic Accident
SANTA MARIA – Station KEYT is reporting that a Battalion Chief returning home from the Railroad Fire has died following a traffic accident. Oscar Flores says Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Santa Lucia District Battalion Chief Gary Helming was killed in a car crash early Thursday morning, Aug. 31, while returning home from an assignment on the Railroad ...
Read More »Railroad Fire Continues To Grow, More Evacuations And Warnings
FISH CAMP — After a night of very active fire behavior, crews had their work cut out for them today on the Railroad Fire, especially in the northeast section. A heavy layer of smoke once again blanketed the area, but by about 11 a.m. the inversion had lifted on the south, and temperatures were headed to triple digits and winds ...
Read More »Very Active Fire Behavior Overnight On The Railroad Fire
FISH CAMP — The Railroad Fire was very active overnight, pushing to the east along Jackson Road (6S07), and to the southwest behind Westfall Ranger Station. The fire is now estimated at 1,901 acres. Yesterday’s estimated containment was 5 percent, but with the fire pushing out on so many parts of the perimeter, the containment is likely negligible at this ...
Read More »Historic Equipment Burns At Yosemite Mt. Sugar Pine Railroad
FISH CAMP — The Railroad Fire started just across the road from the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Hence the name. It burned to the north, past the Narrow Gauge Inn which is just feet away, then crossed the road to the east and destroyed several homes. But the railroad was spared. That was day one. On day two, erratic ...
Read More »Intense Fire Behavior As Railroad Fire Spots Across Hwy 41
FISH CAMP — Erratic wind events, numerous spot fires, and limited air resources presented challenges for firefighters today on the Railroad Fire. The fire is now estimated at 1,200 acres with 5 percent containment. However those numbers are estimates and will change after tonight’s flyover. As of this morning, there were 350 personnel assigned to the incident including 26 engines, ...
Read More »Spot Fires Increase As Smoke Hampers Air Attack Of Railroad Fire
FISH CAMP — As temperatures rise, fire activity is increasing on the Railroad Fire burning near Fish Camp. By 8 o’clock this morning, crews were reporting flame lengths of up to 100 ft. in some areas. Firefighters moved in to cut line around the community of Fish Camp, and helicopters focused their bucket work on that area and the northeast ...
Read More »Hot Temps And Low Humidity Challenges Crews On The Railroad Fire
FISH CAMP — In a surreal juxtaposition of fire, rain, lightning and smoke, the management team on the Railroad Fire gathered at Batterson Work Station at 6 a.m. to go over the day’s objectives and operations plans. With more accurate overnight mapping, the fire is now estimated at 920 acres with 5 percent containment. There are currently 350 personnel assigned ...
Read More »Update On The South Fork Fire Near Wawona
YOSEMITE — While the threat to the community of Wawona from the South Fork Fire has been mitigated, residents and visitors are being told to make pre-evacuation plans in case the Railroad Fire continues its march north. The South Fork Fire is now estimated at 5,191 acres with 44 percent containment. There are currently 101 personnel assigned to the incident. ...
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