YOSEMITE – The El Portal fire has now scorched 3,060 acres in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest, and is 19 percent contained.
Officials report that it is now posing a threat to the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Old El Portal residents were allowed to return home as of 9 a.m. this morning.
Also beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Foresta Road and Crane Creek at Highway 140 is open to residents only.
The El Portal fire was reported just after 3 p.m. Saturday, July 26, and has caused road closures and evacuations in the area.
Campground closures remain in effect, including Crane Flat, Yosemite Creek and Bridal Veil, which is being use for fire operations.
Big Oak Flat Road between Crane Flat and El Portal Rd is closed. This is a hard closure until further notice for the public, employees and residents. There is no access to Yosemite Valley via the Big Oak Flat Road or Highway 120.
Tioga Road is open and accessible via Big Oak Flat and Tioga Pass Entrances.
Yosemite National Park is open and Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Wawona/Mariposa Grove areas are open and accessible via Highways 140 and 41. Tioga Road is not accessible via Highways 140 and 41, but can be reached coming in on Highway 120.
The Red Cross has opened a resource center at the New Life Christian Church, 5089 Cole Road in Mariposa. They are no longer located at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp.
Cooperating agencies include the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, PG&E, the American Red Cross and Mariposa County.
Smoke from the fire has obscured many of the famous vistas throughout the park. To view air quality and smoky conditions, have a look at the Yosemite National Park webcams.
Two injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
