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 ...
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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 »Successful Firing Operations Increase Containment On Ferguson Fire
MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters continue to focus on tactical firing operations across the Ferguson Fire, which is now estimated at 57,846 acres and is now 33 percent contained. Officials estimate there are 2,846 structures threatened by the fire, and one non-residential structure has been destroyed. Crews made good progress overnight as they continued to widen and strengthen containment lines on ...
Read More »Firing Operations Continue On Ferguson Fire, More Evacuations Lifted
MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firing operations continued today on the three sides of the Ferguson Fire, now estimated at 57,041 acres. The fire grew by just 382 acres today, and is still reported as 30 percent contained. There was good news today for residents along East Westfall Road, the Ponderosa Basin and for some who live along Highway 140 as mandatory ...
Read More »Firing Operations Continue, Ferguson Fire Nearly 57,000 Acres
MARIPOSA COUNTY – Firefighters had a productive night with tactical firing operations as they made progress toward full suppression on the Ferguson Fire. Officials reported the fire grew by 2,178 acres overnight and is now at 56,659 acres, still with 30 percent containment. Last night, starting at about 7 p.m., crews began burning inside Yosemite National Park, south along Wawona ...
Read More »Ferguson Fire Over 54,000 Acres, Firefighter Killed In The Line Of Duty
MARIPOSA COUNTY – The day started with tragedy on the Ferguson Fire when the Captain of the Arrowhead Hot Shots, Brian Hughes, 33, was struck by a tree and killed while engaged in a tactical firing operation on the east side of the fire. All resources in Division G, where the incident occurred, were pulled off the line, and that ...
Read More »Firefighter Killed Today On The Ferguson Fire Identified
MARIPOSA COUNTY — The firefighter who was killed today on the Ferguson Fire today has been identified as Brian Hughes, 33, Captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hot Shots. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this morning that, while battling the Ferguson Fire on the Sierra National Forest, Hughes was fatally injured. Hughes was originally from Hilo, Hawaii, and had been ...
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