---

Update: 11:36 A.M.

CAL FIRE Lifts Airtanker Safety Stand Down

Sacramento - Earlier today the National Transportation Safety Board notified CAL FIRE that their investigation into the Tanker 81 accident has found no structural failures or aging aircraft issues involved in the crash. Immediately following this finding, CAL FIRE has lifted the safety stand down of the CAL FIRE S-2T airtanker fleet, which had been initiated following the accident. Airbase personnel have returned to routine daily safety inspections and will be permitted to resume normal flight activities today.

“This has been a difficult week for the Department,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of CAL FIRE. “Words can’t express my sorrow for the Hunt family, but I am incredibly thankful of the work our pilots, employees and fire service partners have done following this tragic accident.”

---

Update: October 10, 2014 8:00 AM

Current Situation: The night shift patrolled and monitored the fire along El Portal Rd., and mopped up portions of the northern edge of the fire.

Fire activity has decreased significantly and less smoke will be visible today. Firefighters will continue to mop-up the fire’s northern edge. Over 7,000 feet of hose has been deployed in that area to assist crews with this work. Water tenders haul water to a nearby portable tank where it is pumped through the hoselays to the firefighter’s mopping up along the fireline. Helicopters will continue to support ground crews with bucket drops along the east and west flanks of the fire.

Park road crews will begin removing rocks and other debris on El Portal Rd. Firefighters will continue to patrol the road, mopping up, containing the fire and preventing snags and other burning material from crossing the road.

Pacific Gas & Electric employees will begin repairing damaged power lines in order to restore full power to the park. Power lines will be installed by helicopters, this work will be closely coordinated with incident air and ground operations.

Yosemite Park resource advisors are assigned to the fire to work with firefighters to assist them in protecting park resources and the firefighters themselves. The fire is burning in an area where bears are present so firefighters are instructed to be aware of bears and to keep all food and trash securely stored. Cultural and natural resources are always considered when planning and conducting fire suppression activities in order to protect them.

Road Closures:

Highway 140 from Park Line near El Portal to the Big Oak Flat Road and El Portal Road Junction.

Fire Facts: 311 acres; 20 % contained

Additional Information:

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4128/

Dog Rock Fire Information Phone: 209.372.0327; 372.0328; 372.0329 (7:00 AM to 8:00 PM)

Current Conditions in Yosemite:http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Park Web Page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm

Yosemite Air Quality: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm

Cal Fire information concerning the aircraft accident: Daniel Berlant – (916) 651.3473

---

Update: 6:35 A.M.

Fire Facts: 311 acres and 20% containment

6 helicopters and 553 personnel.

Last night crews worked along El Portal Rd. to assure no burning material crosses the road.
Fire continued to creep and smolder through the night. Fire behavior was moderate due to better relative humidity recovery.

---

Update 3:13 A.M.

---

Update:Thursday Evening

279 acres

25% containment

Due to the excellent progress firefighters have made, the evacuation of Foresta was lifted this afternoon. Control lines and hoselays along the north end of the fire are complete. Crews will work to mop-up that area of the fire to assure it remains contained.

The fire continues to burn downhill toward El Portal Rd and firefighters have established a hoselay from the road along the east edge of the fire to contain hotspots. Snags and rolling material continue to fall on El Portal Rd and firefighters quickly responded to these threats. Ground crews received heavy support from helicopters making water drops, especially in areas that are unsafe due to terrain and snags.

Tonight crews will work along El Portal Rd. to assure no burning material crosses the road.

Yosemite fire investigators have determined the cause of the Dog Rock Fire. Based on their investigation it is believed that the fire was start by sparks generated by hot metal fragments from a vehicle. This could be the result of several things such as trailer safety chains dragging on the pavement, vehicle brake parts generating a spark or other sources.

Due to the extremely dry conditions in the park a single spark can start a wildland fire. Visitors can help reduce the likelihood of igniting a wildfire by assuring their vehicles are maintained and operated safely.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the fire. Assuring the safety of all the firefighters and the public remains the priority for all operations. The fire is located along Highway 140 near the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park east of El Portal. The highway will remained closed until this danger can be eliminated.

The park is open and campgrounds, hotels, and other visitor services are open and operating at normal hours. Except for the closure of State Highway 140 at El Portal all other park roads are open. Access to Yosemite is available via Wawona (Hwy 41) and Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120) and via Tioga Pass (Hwy 120). Visitors may see smoke in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System(YARTS) service is currently being affected by the fire along Hwy 140 which is closed between El Portal and Yosemite Valley. Buses will not be making scheduled runs into Yosemite Valley until Hwy 140 reopens. According to latest reports, the timing of reopening Hwy 140 is unknown.

Smoke will likely be prevalent in El Portal in the morning and in Yosemite Valley during the afternoon.

Evacuations: The community of Foresta has been re-opened to residents only.

YARTS: Service is currently being affected by the Dog Rock Fire along Hwy 140 which is closed between El Portal and Yosemite Valley. Buses will not be making scheduled runs into Yosemite Valley until Hwy 140 reopens. According to latest reports, the timing of reopening Hwy 140 is unknown

Road Closures: Highway 140 from Park Line near El Portal to the Big Oak Flat Road and El Portal Road Junction.

Fire Facts:

279 acres

25% containment

It is believed that the fire was start by sparks generated by hot metal fragments from a vehicle.

Dog Rock Fire Information Phone: 209.372.0327; 372.0328; 372.0329 (7:00 AM to 8:00 PM) These lines are staffed with fire information officers located in the park.

Current Conditions in Yosemite:http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Park Web Page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm

Yosemite Air Quality:http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm

Cal Fire information concerning the aircraft accident: Daniel Berlant – (916) 651.3473

Basic Information

Current as of	10/9/2014 9:50:21 PM
Incident Type	Wildfire
Date of Origin	Tuesday October 07th, 2014 approx. 12:00 AM
Incident Commander	Jeanne Pincha - Tulley California Interagency Incident Command Team 3 (CIIMT3)

Current Situation

Size	279 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained	25%