Tuesday Operations Map

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July 30, 2018 - Firefighters made progress toward full suppression throughout the day with tactical firing operations on the Ferguson Fire. Officials reported the fire grew by 382 acres throughout the day and was at 57,041 acres as of 6:00 p.m. Containment is at 30 percent.

Firefighters completed about 3 miles of fire line improvement by burning fuels south along Wawona Road (Highway 41) from Henness Ridge toward Wawona Campground. This burning will continue throughout the evening and early morning.

On the north end of the fire, crews burned fire lines along the Thirteen Road toward Pilot Peak. Tuesday,

firefighters intend to burn along Pilot Ridge on the Mariposa-Tuolumne county line.

Along the southern end of the fire, crews made significant gains firing lines from Roundtree Saddle toward Chowchilla Mountain Road. As a result, the evacuation of Ponderosa Basin was lifted, but remains in advisory status. Portions of El Portal also were placed in advisory status. Areas within a fire advisory have the potential of being evacuated should conditions change.

Area residents can expect to see increased smoke during the next few days as firing operations continue. Tactical firing is an effective way to reduce fuel loads while simultaneously widening or extending containment lines. It can reduce the duration and intensity of wildfires, particularly by decreasing available fuels and weakening the fire as it approaches containment lines.

During all tactical firing operations on the Ferguson Fire, firefighters and law enforcement maintain a presence in evacuated communities to ensure home and structure safety.

Air quality is likely to decrease as a result of increased smoke from the firing operations. Residents can monitor the latest air quality and health advisories at:

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

Natural resource specialists have begun surveying the western side of the fire today to assess areas requiring repair and mitigation. Firefighters, in conjunction with resource advisors, play an important role in helping the landscape recover from containment lines and other suppression tactics.

Yosemite National Park closure: Yosemite National Park officials enacted closures July 25 for the Yosemite Valley and Wawona areas, as well as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The park is expected to reopen August 3, 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
• El Portal Trailer Court
• Foresta
• Old El Portal
• Old Yosemite Road
• River Road from Briceburg to the last BLM campground
• Yosemite View Lodge
• Yosemite West

Advisory Evacuations: This is NOT an Evacuation Order. This is an advisement only of a potential Evacuation Order should conditions change.

• Cedar Lodge/Indian Flat Campground
• East Westfall Road and all side roads
• Ponderosa Basin Community
• Rancheria Flat – Government Housing
• Savage’s Trading Post

Road Closures:

• Anderson Valley Road
• Foresta Road
• Harris Road at Highway 49 South
• River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all campground areas along Highway 140
• Summit Road
• Old Yosemite Road
• Wawona Road (Highway 41) between Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona and Bridalveil Falls Road in Yosemite Valley

Incline Road and Highway 140 from the entrance of Yosemite National Park to 1.5 miles east of Midpines are closed to everyone except residents.

Red Cross Shelters:

• Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones St., Mariposa, CA 95338

Animal Shelters:

• Small animals: Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones St., Mariposa, CA 95338
• Large animals: 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338