MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire, burning outside the west entrance to Yosemite National Park, is now estimated at 150 acres with 5 percent containment.
The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m. last night, and has closed Highway 140 from mile marker 37 (west of Midpines) to Cedar Lodge (see map below).
One resident and 50 tourists were evacuated from Savage Trading Post and Redbud Lodge last night. Cedar Lodge is on a pre-evacuation warning. Briceberg has not yet been affected but conditions could change.
PG&E has deenergized the power lines running through the fire area, which has affected Yosemite, El Portal and the Foresta area.
Aircraft are overhead this morning, providing ground crews with some much-needed support. Four air tankers and a VLAT have been requested.
The fire is burning in the very steep terrain of the Merced River Canyon.
Resources from surrounding agencies have been arriving in the unit throughout the night and some are already on the firelines.
Cal Fire turned over command of the fire to the Sierra National Forest this morning at 8 a.m. Other cooperators include Mariposa County Fire, CHP, Caltrans, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, Yosemite National Park and PG&E.
We will get more information and update later in the day.
For the full story of last night’s developments on the Ferguson Fire, click here.
