SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Cooler weather and lower temperatures are expected to help fire crews on the French Fire today. Some 12,827 acres have been charred by the fire which is now 20% contained. The burnout operation was completed on the southern end of the fire last night to secure containment lines down to the San Joaquin River. Direct fire ...

YOSEMITE – Firefighting efforts on the El Portal fire continue to go well, according to officials, who estimate the acreage at 4,689, with 89% containment. Crews are working to strengthen the containment line and are aggressively cooling hot spots near the fire’s perimeter.

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Officials are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for causing the French Fire. An investigation has concluded, and it has been determined that an abandoned campfire near the Rock Creek Campground was the cause of the French Fire on the Bass Lake Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest.

FISH CAMP – Passengers on the Logger at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad were enjoying a brief stop at the half-way point of their trip into the Sierra National Forest near Fish Camp on Saturday, when they were stunned by the sight of an 8-year-old girl wandering out of the woods alone. It was about 1 p.m. and the ...

YOSEMITE – The El Portal Fire, which started a week ago today, is now estimated at 4,689 acres with 78% containment. The fire remained active throughout the night, and crews worked to mop up, strengthen, and hold the containment line. Today they will continue to cool hot spots within 300 feet of the fire’s edge.

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The French Fire has now grown to 11,466 acres with 15% containment. Yesterday’s active fire behavior continued throughout the night as the fire moved to the western shore of Mammoth Pool just north of the boat ramp. Last night’s infrared images show the largest areas of growth on the northern sections of the fire. A firing ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – Firefighters had their work cut out for them on the northern zones of the French Fire today. Fire activity was moderate until about 2 p.m., but as the wind and topography aligned, activity picked up and the fire began exhibiting extreme behavior and rapid rates of spread. Residents living in the community of Arnold Meadow were ...

YOSEMITE – Firefighters on the El Portal Fire made good progress today, completing a line around 78 percent of the fire. So far the fire has consumed 4,518 acres on the western edge of Yosemite and on the Stanislaus National Forest. Fire officials have also given an estimated containment date of Friday, Aug. 8 at midnight.

MADERA COUNTY – This afternoon, under the direction of Sheriff John Anderson, the Madera County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) issued an emergency evacuation notice to those who live or vacation in Arnold Meadow. With large embers spotting out ahead of the French Fire, conditions required the mandatory evacuation, and a notice was issued through MC-Alert. There were roughly 11 ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The most recent updates from fire officials show the French Fire now at 8,207 acres with 15% containment. Once again, a blanket of thick smoke hangs over the mountains and foothills, limiting flight time for air operations supporting a burnout on the southern edge of the fire. As the top priority, work to improve that southern ...