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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

FISH CAMP — The Railroad fire continues to grow as fire managers have difficulty getting large air tankers over the incident. As of 2:45 p.m., the fire was estimated at 300 acres, with spot fires out ahead of the blaze, and a potential for up to 5,000 acres. It is moving toward the park boundary. Three structures have been lost. ...

FISH CAMP — As the Railroad Fire continues to grow, road closures and evacuations have been expanded. The road closure on Highway 41 has been moved south from Road 630 to Cedar Valley. On the north it is closed at Summit Road in Fish Camp. A mandatory evacuation is in place for the Narrow Gauge Inn, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar ...