Credit: Forest Service photo by Jim Bartlett

Engines: 201 Water Tenders: 58 Helicopters: 14 Crews: 71 Dozers: 36 Total Personnel: 2,934

August 3, 2018 - The Ferguson Fire grew by 3,647 acres throughout the day and was at 77,207 acres as of 6:00 p.m. Containment is at 41 percent.

Firefighters worked throughout the day on a spot fire that jumped the Merced River early this morning and is burning in the Crane Creek drainage southwest of Foresta. Aircraft dropped water and retardant in support of firefighters. Bulldozers and hand crews built containment lines between the fire and Foresta. Engines and crews remained in Foresta for structure protection.

While Yosemite Valley was not in imminent danger, dangerous road conditions, smoke and a loss of power prompted Yosemite National Park officials to evacuate the area until further notice.

Later in the afternoon, another spot fire emerged west of Wawona Road (Highway 41) and began advancing toward Badger Pass. Evacuations were issued along Highway 140 out of concern that shifting winds overnight could bring the fire back into the communities.

On the north side of the fire, crews completed tactical firing along Pilot Ridge on the Mariposa-Tuolumne county line. They will perform firing operations south along the 13 Road as weather allows to fully contain the fire’s northern perimeter.

Firefighters strengthened containment lines and mopped up around two spots fires southwest of Wawona. Crews will monitor and improve lines around the fire before they complete tactical firing operations along Wawona Road.

Warmer and drier conditions are resulting in increased fire behavior and spotting. Residents will continue to see smoke columns within the fire perimeter. Residents can monitor air quality and health advisories at:

• https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/YosemiteArea
• https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthernSierra

Stanislaus National Forest closure: Stanislaus National Forest officials closed several roads and trails on the Groveland Ranger District within the vicinity of the Ferguson Fire. The closure order spans from Ferguson Ridge in the south to Pilot Ridge in the north. The closure is expected to be in effect until Sept. 30.

Yosemite National Park closure: Yosemite National Park officials extended closures of Yosemite Valley, Wawona Road, the Mariposa and Merced groves of giant sequoias, Hetch Hetchy and other areas through Aug. 5, conditions permitting. For more information, go to nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.

Mandatory Evacuations: Areas that are currently under a mandatory evacuation include:

•  Anderson Valley
•  Cedar Lodge/Indian Flat Campground
•  El Portal Trailer Court
•  Foresta
•  Old El Portal
•  Old Yosemite Road
•  Rancheria Flat – Government Housing
•  River Road from Briceburg to the last BLM campground
•  Savage’s Trading Post
•  Wawona
•  Yosemite Valley
•  Yosemite View Lodge
•  Yosemite West

Road Closures:

•  Anderson Valley Road
•  Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) from entrance of Yosemite National Park to Crane Flat.
•  Foresta Road
•  Highway 140 from the entrance of Yosemite National Park to 1.5 miles east of Midpines
•  River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all campground areas along Highway 140
•  Summit Road
•  Old Yosemite Road (Coulterville Road)
•  Wawona Road (Highway 41) between Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona and Bridalveil Falls parking lot in Yosemite Valley

Red Cross Shelter:

•  New Life Christian Fellowship: 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, CA 95338

Animal Shelters:

•  Small animals: Mariposa SPCA, 5599 Highway 49 North, Mariposa, CA 95338
•  Large animals: 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338