Ferguson Fire - Photo by J Bartlett Team Rubicon/BLM for USFS

Engines: 145 Water Tenders: 45 Helicopters: 14 Crews: 88 Dozers: 49 Total Personnel: 3,344

August 1, 2018 - Firefighters made progress toward full suppression on the Ferguson Fire. Officials reported the fire grew by 915 acres throughout the day and was at 63,798 acres as of 6 p.m. Containment is at 39 percent.

Firefighters prepared for tactical firing this evening south along Wawona Road (Highway 41) toward Wawona Campground. Crews burned from containment lines between Crow Peak and Chowchilla Mountain Road north of Yosemite Mountain Ranch.

An evacuation order was issued for the Wawona community effective at 6:00 p.m. as a precaution because of current and predicted fire behavior.

On the north end of the fire, crews conducted burning operations off containment lines around Merced Grove. If conditions allow, firefighters will continue northward toward Pilot Ridge on the Mariposa-Tuolumne county line.

Firefighters burned along the 30X Road to buffer Yosemite West from the fire which is spreading southeast from El Portal. Firefighters tentatively plan to build containment lines from the 30X Road east to Wawona Road (Highway 41), then north to Elephant Rock. The line will follow Elephant Ridge until it connects with a rocky slope to the west.

The high pressure system above the fire is weakening, resulting in warmer and drier conditions. This will increase fire behavior as well. Residents are likely to see more and taller smoke columns during the next few days. 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

· Foresta

· Old El Portal

· Old Yosemite Road

· River Road from Briceburg to the last BLM campground

· Wawona

· 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

· El Portal Trailer Court

· Rancheria Flat – Government Housing

· Savage’s Trading Post

Road Closures:

· Anderson Valley Road

· Foresta Road

· Incline Road and Highway 140 from the entrance of Yosemite National Park to 1.5 miles east of Midpines, except to residents

· 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

Red Cross Shelters:

· New Life Christian Church, 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, CA 95338

Animal Shelters:

· Small animals: Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones St., Mariposa, CA 95338

· Large animals: 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338