MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire grew by 3,548 acres overnight as it continued to push to the north and east.
The fire is now estimated at 80,755 acres, and with the expansion of the perimeter into Yosemite National Park yesterday, the percentage of the line that is contained has dropped to 36 percent.
Overnight, firefighters monitored and patrolled the fire that jumped the Merced River yesterday morning and is burning in the Crane Creek drainage southwest of Foresta.
Crews were successful in keeping the fire from spreading into Foresta and Yosemite West, say officials, and also from coming back down into the evacuated communities along the Highway 140 corridor.
Firefighters also monitored and patrolled the fire that spotted across Wawona Road (Highway 41) and is burning toward Badger Pass. Active fire burning across Glacier Point Road made egress out of the area unsafe, and about 100 incident personnel based at Badger Pass sheltered in place in fire camp.
Non-essential personnel in Yosemite Valley were evacuated Friday due to hazardous road conditions, smoke and a loss of power, say park officials. Yosemite Valley has been closed to the public since July 25, however Yosemite National Park remains open on the east side out of Lee Vining, and Tioga Pass Road provides access to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, the Pacific Crest and John Muir trails.
On the north side of the fire burning on the Stanislaus National Forest, crews monitored and patrolled Pilot Ridge along the Mariposa-Tuolumne county line after Friday’s tactical firing operations. They will fire south along the 13 Road as weather allows, to fully contain the fire’s northern perimeter.
Crews monitored and patrolled two spot fires southwest of Wawona overnight, and held them within their containment lines. When conditions allow, firefighters will resume tactical firing operations toward the Merced River to finish the approximately 1/2-mile of line that will connect the eastern perimeter to the line on the south that runs along Chowchilla Mountain Road.
Officials continue to evaluate the situation on Highway 120 several times a day to determined when it will be safe to reopen. Due to the large amount of burning hazard trees next to the road that firefighters are not able to mitigate, Highway 120 remains closed as of 7 a.m. today. Highway 41 also remains closed. Highway 120 to Lee Vining (Tioga Pass) is the only entrance to Yosemite.
There are 995 structures threatened by the fire. Ten structures have been destroyed, though officials do not believe that any have been recently inhabited.
Damage assessment teams have been able to get into some of the burn areas of the fire, and report that 10 structures have been lost in the Ned Gulch area on the north end of the fire. Officials say it appears that the road had been washed out for some time, requiring teams to go on foot to assess the damage. We will provide more details as they become available.
There is an estimated date for full containment of Aug. 15.
There are currently 2,934 personnel assigned to the incident including 201 engines, 71 crews, 58 water tenders, 36 dozers, 5 masticators, 14 helicopters, and fixed-wing tankers as conditions allow.
There have been eleven firefighter injuries reported, and numerous instances of heat exhaustion-type symptoms. There have been two fatalities on the fire; HFEO Braden Varney was killed in a dozer rollover accident on July 14, and Brian Hughes, Arrowhead Hotshot Captain, lost his life on Sunday when he was struck by a tree during a firing operation.
If community members see new fire activity, they are asked to call 911, not the fire information line.
As of July 21, there are fire restrictions in place on the Sierra National Forest. Please read and be informed before you use any type of fire in the forest.
The Incident Command Post for the Ferguson Fire is located at the Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park. Please be aware of heavy fire equipment moving through the area. There is also a base camp set up at the ski area at Badger Pass, and another on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Cal Fire has exited Unified Command as of 6 a.m. Thursday because of reduced threats to state and private lands. Cal Fire remains committed to the Ferguson Incident as an assisting agency. California Interagency Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Mark von Tillow, has assumed management of the Ferguson Fire as of 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3, transitioning in for California Team 4, which has be managing the fire since July 19.
For information about the fire please call 530-377-6221.
The Ferguson Fire started on Friday, July 13, at 8:30 p.m., near Savage Trading Post on the south side of the Merced River canyon along Highway 140. The cause remains under investigation.
Tactical firing is an effective way to reduce fuel loads while simultaneously widening or extending containment lines. It can reduce the duration and intensity of wildfires, particularly by decreasing available fuels and weakening the fire as it approaches containment lines. During all tactical firing operations on the Ferguson Fire, firefighters and law enforcement maintain a presence in evacuated communities to ensure home and structure safety.
Area residents can expect to see increased smoke during the next few days as firing operations continue and the high pressure system over the fire weakens.
Residents can monitor the latest air quality and health advisories at:
- https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/YosemiteArea
- https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra
Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken has signed a forest order closing several Groveland Ranger District roads and trails impacted by the Ferguson Fire.
This closure is based on the current and expected fire behavior and will be in effect until Sept. 30, or until replaced or rescinded. Click here for details and a map of the closure.
Yosemite National Park
Officials have announced that the closure of some portions of Yosemite National Park will be extended to Aug. 5. This now includes Hetch Hetchy. When the park does open these areas, limited visitor services will be available inside Yosemite Valley, including campgrounds, lodging, and food service operations.
Yosemite Valley has been temporarily closed since July 25 due to smoke impacts and for firefighting operations along El Portal Road and the Wawona Road due to the Ferguson Fire.
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Wawona Road (Highway 41) from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park to Tunnel View will remain closed until further notice.
The Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 West) to Crane Flat is closed. Tioga Road (Highway 120 East) from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass, remains open to all visitors and vehicles. All trails and campgrounds along Tioga Road, including the Tuolumne Meadows Campground remain open. All visitor services along Tioga Road, including the High Sierra Camps and visitor services near Tuolumne Meadows, remain open.
Since the Ferguson Fire began on Friday, July 13, several other park facilities and roads have been closed due to fire impacts and the need to support firefighting operations. These closures include Glacier Point Road, Bridalveil Creek Campground, the Wawona Campground, and the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Yosemite National Park continues to work closely with the Incident Management Team and continues to assess park conditions daily.
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again. Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose and on the Yosemite National Park Facebook page.
Be sure you are signed up to receive alerts when wildfire or other emergencies threaten.
- To sign up for the Mariposa Sheriff’s Office Emergency Alert System visit https://local.nixle.com/register.
- To register for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Alert System visit mcalert.org.
Smoke from the Ferguson Fire is impacting the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District and across the region. For information specific to Mariposa County visit http://www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?NID=1434. For additional information on air quality you can visit the AirNow website or the air fire smoke page.
Residents can check the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s wildfire page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires for information about any current wildfires and whether they are impacting the Valley. The District’s Real-time Air Advisory Network (RAAN) provides localized air quality data from an extensive air-monitoring network which allows Valley residents to track PM at any Valley address by visiting myraan.com.
Evacuations
New yesterday: Mandatory evacuations orders were issued for Cedar Lodge, El Portal Trailer Court, Incline Road (from Foresta Bridge to Clearing House), Rancheria Flat – Government Housing, and Savage Trading Post.
All residents need to leave using Highway 140 to the Midpines area. The road remains closed to the public.
Mandatory evacuations remain in place for:
- Wawona
- El Portal
- Old El Portal
- El Portal Trailer Court
- Incline Road (from Foresta Bridge to Clearing House)
- Rancheria Flat – Government Housing
- Savage Trading Post
- River Road from Briceburg to last BLM Campground
- Foresta
- Yosemite View Lodge
- Yosemite West
- Anderson Valley
- Old Yosemite Road
A Red Cross Evacuation Center has been established at New Life Christian Fellowship, 5089 Cole Road in Bootjack.
If you have been evacuated due to the Ferguson Fire, the Sheriff’s Office asks that you please check in with the Red Cross Shelter even if you do not plan to stay there.
If you are in a Mandatory Evacuation or Advisory Area and may require assistance with evacuation transportation due to special needs or medical issues, please contact Human Services toll free at 1-833-423-0816 as soon as possible.
Planning ahead will help with a safe and timely evacuation.
Animal Evacuation Centers
The Central California Animal Disaster Team (CCADT) has closed their emergency animal shelter at the Mariposa Elementary School, as all the pets have gone home. If you have small animals and have been evacuated, please call CCADT at 888-402-2238 ext. 0. If no one answers, leave a message. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.
Large Animal Shelter is at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road in Mariposa.
Road Closures
- Anderson Valley Road
- Foresta Road
- River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all campground areas along 140
- Incline Road (from Foresta Bridge to Clearing House)
- Summit Road
- Old Yosemite Road
- Wawona Road (Highway 41) between Chilnualna Falls in Wawona and Bridalveil Road in Yosemite Valley
- Incline Road and Highway 140 from the entrance to Yosemite National Park to 1.5 miles east of Midpines are closed to everyone except residents.
- Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) west of Crane Flat
General information on returning to previously evacuated areas:
Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office will have a heavy presence in the area to ensure the security and safety of residents and businesses.
There will still be smoke in the respective areas as firefighters continue firefighting operations. If at any time you feel unsafe, please call 911.
For questions or concerns regarding power, please contact PG&E at 800-743-5000 or visit their website at www.pge.com.
The Mariposa County Health Department has health and safety information for residents returning to their homes on their website at http://www.mariposacounty.org/health or call 209-966-3689.
Mariposa County Health and Human Services will be available to assist residents with gaining additional services. Additional information regarding these and other services is available at www.mariposacountyrecovers.org.
SAFETY MESSAGE – The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings. If you see electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact PG&E immediately. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous. Please drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area. As you re-enter your property and evaluate damage, be aware that hazardous conditions may exist, particularly if a residence or out-building has burned. Hazards may include asbestos, heavy metals, by-products of plastic combustion and various other chemicals. We encourage the public to remain prepared year-round for wildfires by visiting the www.readyforwildfire.org website. The best show of support is having your home and property “fire-ready.”
Cooperating Agencies on the Ferguson Fire include:
- Bureau of Land Management
- California Conservation Corps
- California Department of Corrections
- California Highway Patrol
- California Office of Emergency Services
- Cal Fire
- Caltrans
- Central Califonia Animal Area Disaster Team
- Madera County Sheriff
- Mariposa County Public Works
- Mariposa Public Works
- National Weather Service
- North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indian of California
- Pacific Gas and Electric
- Red Cross
- Sierra Tel
- Tuolumne County Sheriff
