- On Saturday morning, with the fire tending north to northeast away from the community of El Portal, there remains a remote chance of fire moving in Moss Canyon which may necessitate burnout operations. As a precautionary measure, Rancheria remains in pre-evacuation status.
- Depending on fire behavior, the fire team is hoping to be able to open Hwy 140 to administrative and resident traffic only on Monday August 29. Check the employee hotline on Sunday evening for more information on this limited opening.
- There is no current apparent threat to the commercial power lines.
- As a contingency measure, crews are securing and reopening the existing dozer line above El Portal (Eagle Peak) that serves to protect Foresta, the Crane Flat area, and Merced Grove.
- The Town Hall Meeting and hike to Glen Aulin that was scheduled for Monday, August 29 has been postponed.
Current Conditions:
- The fire is still active and has grown to approximately 3,000 acres.
- The most active portion of the fire is the NE corner, the Trumball Peak area.
- Highway 140 is closed from the Octagon to Foresta Road.
- Highways 120 (east and west) and 41 are all open.
- Cedar Lodge and some campgrounds in the affected fire area have been evacuated. There is a remote possibility of Rancheria evacuation to allow for burnout operations. If this decision is made it will be coordinated through the Sheriff's office and communicated to residents. Old El Portal and Yosemite West have also been given pre-evacuation notice and advised to prepare for potential evacuations.
- Based on current fire conditions El Portal work sites are closed to non-essential personnel.
- Please check the NPS employee hotline each day to determine your work status. The message is updated each day at 7:00 pm.
