OAKHURST — Crews are on scene of a fire on Highway 41 just south of the Westfall Ranger Station near the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
At about 12:20 p.m., reports came in to Sierra National Forest dispatch that a crew cutting trees in the area had dropped a limb on a power line. That has not been confirmed as the cause of the fire.
Smoke from the fire was also spotted by Shuteye Lookout, and can be seen by patrols near Bass Lake and in the Oakhurst area.
At 12:58 p.m. Air Attack was overhead and reported the fire at 30-40 acres, moving east, with a potential for a few thousand acres.
Highway 41 is now closed in both directions, at the Tenaya on the north and Cedar Valley Road on the south.
CHP, Sheriff’s deputies and Citizens on Patrol are responding to deal with any notifications, closures and evacuations as needed.
As of 12:53 p.m., the fire was reported about 50 feet from the roadway near the Sugar Pine Railroad. The Narrow Gauge Inn is evacuated, and all other facilities and homes in the area are being notified and evacuated including the community of Sugar Pine, Sugar Pine Camp and the Railroad.
Everyone within a three mile radius is being notified to be prepared, including the Tenaya Lodge and the community of Fish Camp.
An evacuation center is being set up at the Oakhurst Community Center, with an estimated time to open of 3 p.m.
More resources are being ordered, including more engines, crews, strike teams, water tenders, helicopters and air tankers.
At 1:35 p.m., sheriff’s personnel reported spot fires on the east side of the highway.
Deputies and COPs are also staging where the Worman Road cut-across comes into the area.
At 1:39 p.m., five more MMU engines were formed up for Strike Team 9421 to respond to the fire.
We will update as more information comes in.
