Credit: Forest Service photo by Jim Bartlett

August 4, 2018 - 

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

The Ferguson Fire grew by 3,548 acres overnight and was at 80,755 acres as of 6 a.m. Containment is at 36 percent.

Overnight, firefighters monitored and patrolled a spot fire that was burning in the Crane Creek drainage southwest of Foresta, and one that had crossed Wawona Road (Highway 41) and was burning toward Badger Pass. About 100 incident personnel based out of Badger Pass sheltered in place in fire camp. Fire burning across Glacier Point Road made egress out of the park unsafe.

Firefighters were successful in keeping the fires from spreading into Foresta and Yosemite West. The fires also were kept from coming back down into the evacuated communities along the Highway 140 corridor. Suppressing these fires and keeping the communities of Foresta and Yosemite West safe remain the incident’s priority, along with securing the northern and southeastern perimeters of the fire.

Yosemite Valley was evacuated Friday because of hazardous road conditions, smoke and a loss of power, but the Yosemite National Park remains open on the east side 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.

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

Firefighters monitored and patrolled two spots fires southwest of Wawona, which stayed within their containment lines overnight. Crews will resume tactical firing operations toward the Merced River when conditions allow to secure the fire’s southwest corner.

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

Memorial service: The memorial service for Arrowhead Hot Shots Captain Brian Hughes will be at 11 a.m. today at Valdez Hall in Fresno. Hughes, 33, died in the line of duty July 29 when he was stuck by a tree while fighting the Ferguson Fire.

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 closed Yosemite Valley, Wawona Road, the Mariposa and Merced groves of giant sequoias, Hetch Hetchy and other areas through Aug. 5, when conditions will be reevaluated. 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 95338Red Cross Shelter is located at New Life Christian Fellowship, 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, CA.

Animal Shelters:

· Small animals: Mariposa SPCA, 5599 Highway 49 North, Mariposa, CA 95338

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

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