YOSEMITE – Yosemite Valley is being evacuated of all non-essential personnel and residents as the Ferguson Fire continues its push to the east. According to park officials, the evacuation is due to limited road access to and from Yosemite Valley as firefighters are working along the roadways, and multiple hazards along El Portal Road, Big Oak Flat Road and Wawona ...
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Ferguson Fire Now 73,560 Acres, Spot Fire Near Wawona Contained
MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire is now estimated at 73,560 acres with 41 percent containment. Ferguson Fire Unified Commanders, the U.S. Forest Service and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, will host a community meeting to discuss the current fire situation on Friday, Aug. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Mountain Christian Center, located at 40299 Highway 49 ...
Read More »Ferguson Fire Over 69,000 Acres, Community Meeting Scheduled
MARIPOSA COUNTY – Huge columns of smoke have been visible the last two days over the Ferguson Fire as the high pressure system weakens and the inversion lifts earlier in the day. The fire is now estimated at 69,440 acres and is 41 percent contained. Damage assessment teams have been able to get into some of the burn areas of ...
Read More »The Ferguson Fire: How Do Firing Operations Work?
MARIPOSA COUNTY – When the Ferguson Fire was first reported just before sundown on Friday, July 13, initial estimates by the first units at scene reported it at about 100 acres. It was burning in extremely steep terrain through very dry fuels, and the Sierra National Forest is ground zero for tree mortality. Within 24 hours it had grown to ...
Read More »Smoke From 68,610-Acre Ferguson Fire Closes Highway 120
MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire grew by 5,727 acres overnight and is now estimated at 68,610 acres with 39 percent containment. Officials are reporting this morning that a spot fire on the north has resulted in the closure of Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) because of smoke and congestion from firefighting vehicles and equipment. The road is closed ...
Read More »Ferguson Fire Nearly 64,000 Acres, Wawona Evacuated
MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire is now estimated at 63,798 acres with 39 percent containment. The fire grew by 915 acres today. Just before 6 p.m., several spot fires outside the lines on the southeast corner, and falling embers, prompted the evacuation of the community of Wawona inside Yosemite National Park. Officials say the evacuation was precautionary. At 7 p.m., ...
Read More »Ferguson Fire Now Nearly 63,000 Acres, Firing Ops Continue
MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Ferguson Fire is now estimated at 62,883 acres and is 39 percent contained. On the eastern perimeter inside Yosemite National Park, crews advanced tactical firing south along Wawona Road (Highway 41) toward Wawona Campground. On the south, firefighters conducting firing operations east from Crow Peak along the Chowchilla Mountain Road, toward Wawona Campground. On the north ...
Read More »Minimal Growth On Ferguson Fire, Weather Delays Some Firing Operations
MARIPOSA COUNTY — Firefighters held the growth of the Ferguson Fire to just 228 acres today. The fire is now estimated at 58,074 acres and is still 33 percent contained. Officials announced earlier today that the closure of some portions of Yosemite National Park will be extended to Aug. 5. Firefighters cannot always count on being able to conduct firing ...
Read More »Yosemite Valley Will Remain Closed Longer Than Expected
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that Yosemite Valley, Wawona Road, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Hetch Hetchy, and other areas will remain closed to all visitors through Sunday, Aug. 5, due to continued unhealthy smoke impacts and ongoing firefighting operations. The park will continue to assess conditions and reevaluate all ...
Read More »Ground Support Is A Critical Part Of The Mission On Ferguson Fire
MARIPOSA COUNTY – While firefighters are out on the lines working to contain the Ferguson Fire, there are folks working behind the scenes to keep the wheels turning and the motors running. Needless to say, equipment breaks down, tires go flat, vehicle accidents happen, and you can’t just call AAA. The job of Ground Support is crucial to the success ...
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