Monday Road Hazards Credit: INCIWEB

August 7, 2018 - The Ferguson Fire grew by 2,829 acres throughout the day yesterday and is at 94,331 acres. Containment is at 43 percent. Increase in containment reflects the progress firefighters are making towards meeting the objective of fully suppressing the fire. Highway 140 is open from El Portal to Yosemite National Park boundary. Highway 120 is slated to open at 12 PM today, travelers are advised to watch for debris on the road.

Firefighters will take advantage of another day of moderate fire behavior. The moderate fire behavior is indicated by the lack of vertical movement of air reducing the wind speed, solar heating, and spot fires.

Firefighters have had success in the effort to secure the fire on the southern and northern portions of the fire. Firefighters and heavy equipment are working on large portions of the fire perimeter repairing the containment lines cause by the suppression activities. Repairing of the containment lines is only possible where the fire is cooled and secure.

Spread of the fire into the Yosemite National Park and securing the communities of Foresta and Yosemite west remain the priorities for firefighters. Hand crews are reinforcing line in the drainage north of Foresta to keep the fire from becoming established and crossing containment lines. Firefighters are using an extensive network of hoses to bring water to the hot spots mitigating the potential for spotting into the drainage.

Similar tactics are being used in the Badger Creek area, as firefighters use pumps and hoses to bring water to hot spots near the containment line. Dozers are working to complete the line east of Badger Pass, tying the fire into the 2013 Grouse Fire scare. Crews will construct hand line today from the service road west to Wawona Road (Highway 41). Once completed, this containment line will restrict the southern spread of fire into Yosemite National Park.

Tactical burning operation to the north of Yosemite West on August fourth was successful at a critical time of erratic fire behavior. Hazards such as rock slides and weakened trees continue to be a challenge for fire personnel along this stretch of road. Structure Protection firefighters continue to work in and around Yosemite West.

Fire operations along Wawona Road (Highway 41) toward Cascades picnic area will continue today. Firefighters will patrol along Highway 120 to ensure the fire stays between Wawona Road and Highway 120. This tactical operation will prohibit spread of the fire into the valley.

Structure defense specialists and law enforcement remained within the remaining evacuated communities. The structure defense group in repopulated communities will be removing hoses, pumps and sprinklers today, as the threat of fire is reduced.

Yosemite National Park is accessible from the east out of Lee Vining. Tioga Pass Road provides access to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, the Pacific Crest and John Muir trails and several prominent peaks. Fire behavior will decrease as a slight change in the weather occurs.. Residents will continue to see smoke and multiple smoke columns. Air quality and health advisories are available at the Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program for the Yosemite area and Southern Sierra area.

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 Valley, Wawona Road, the Mariposa and the Merced groves of giant sequoias, Hetch Hetchy, among other areas, are closed. The east side of the park remains open out of Lee Vining along the Tioga Pass Road. 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  Foresta  Old Yosemite Road  Yosemite Valley  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 (Open to RESIDENTS ONLY)  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) Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona.

Red Cross Shelter:  New Life Christian Fellowship: 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, CA 95338

Animal Shelters:  Small animals: Central California Animal Disaster Team (CCADT) at 888-402-2238, ext. 700  Large animals: Mariposa Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338