The fire showed moderate growth overnight. Crews worked late to strengthen line around Jerseydale, along Sweetwater Ridge, and to complete containment lines along Highway 140 at Cold Canyon. The fire continued to back West into Sweetwater Creek, North onto Ferguson Ridge, and north toward Highway 140. It backed toward Jerseydale, slowly consuming hazardous fuels. As of 6:00 A.M. on July 19, no structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Ferguson Fire.
Today, crews will continue to build and improve “indirect” lines (containment lines placed ahead of the fires active edge) along Sweetwater Ridge and from Highway 140 Southeast to the Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41 in Yosemite National Park) along Henness Ridge. They will again be present in the community of Jerseydale/ Mariposa Pines, working on indirect lines to protect the community.
The chance of thunderstorms is predicted to increase today. Thunderstorms can produce erratic winds, causing the fire to change direction quickly and unexpectedly. This is especially dangerous for firefighters working on constructing indirect containment lines as a sudden shift in wind can cause fuel between them
and the fireline to burn.
Yosemite National Park remains open. For information on Yosemite National Park, go to nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.
Mandatory Evacuations: Areas that are currently under a mandatory evacuation include: Incline Rd from Foresta Bridge to the last BLM campground; Jerseydale/ Mariposa Pines; Cedar Lodge/ Indian Flat Campground, Savage’s Trading Post and Sweetwater Ridge.
Evacuation Advisory: This is NOT an Evacuation Order. This is an advisement only of a potential Evacuation Order should conditions change.
• Yosemite West
• Lushmeadows Community
• Ponderosa Basin Community
• Triangle Rd from Jerseydale Rd to Hwy 49 South including all side roads.
• Darrah Rd from Triangle to Sherrod Rd
• East side of Hwy 49S from Darrah Rd to Harris Rd- This includes Boyer Rd, Woodland Area, Wass Rd, Tip Top Rd
• National Park Service El Portal Complex
• Rancheria Flat- Government Housing
• El Portal Trailer Court
• Old El Portal
Evacuation Center: New Life Christian Fellowship: 5089 Cole Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338
Road Closures: Highway 140 is closed from Abbie Rd in El Portal to 1.5 miles West of Midpines. Incline Rd, River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all Campground areas closed. Hites Cove / Jerseydale Rd.
