YOSEMITE – The El Portal Fire is now 100% contained at 4,689 acres burned on the western edge of Yosemite National Park and on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Suppression costs to date are estimated at $10.6 million and the cause is under investigation. All roads in Yosemite are open, but visitors are reminded that the fire area is closed to the public.
Crews and resources are being demobilized for assignments to other fires in the region, and there a currently 150 personnel remaining on the El Portal Fire.
Bridalveil Campground and the two top loops of the Crane Flat Campground are open to the public. Yosemite Creek Campground and the remainder of Crane Flat are still closed.
Crews will continue to mop up, secure, and rehabilitate the El Portal fire line.
The Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team arrived today. The BAER Team’s primary function is to evaluate the burn area for short-term emergency rehabilitation needs.
Areas that were damaged in the suppression effort are being repaired to help reduce soil erosion and visual impacts. These efforts include building water-bars, chipping large concentrations of slash from dozer line construction, pulling berms, and obscuring turnouts that were created by large equipment. Excess equipment, supplies, flagging, and garbage are also being removed.
Smoke will continue to be visible. Individuals that are smoke sensitive or have a tendency to respitory illnesses may be vulnerable to the adverse health effects of smoke. Please avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. You may consider leaving the area until smoke levels decline. Please consult your healthcare provider to discuss protective measures. For more information, visit one of the following websites:
For health effects of smoke: www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?NID=89
For Yosemite air quality: www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm
For smoke updates: www.californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com
Recorded information for the El Portal Fire is established; please call (209) 372-0327.
