El Portal Fire Update: July 31, 2014, 8:00 Pm

Incident: El Portal Wildfire
JULY 31, 2014, 8:00 P.M.

Fire Start: July 26, 2014, 5:00 P.M. Location: Old El Portal and Foresta
Cause: under investigation
Size: 4,198 acres
Percent Contained: 58%
Total Number of Personnel: 1,194
Costs to Date: $5,700,000
Incident Commander: Carlton Joseph/California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT5)

Fire Summary: The fire exhibited moderate fire behavior under more favorable weather conditions, allowing for successful firing operations. Air resources were used to pretreat fuels to prevent the establishment of spot fires on the northeastern portion of the fire. Poor relative humidity recovery will continue to extend the burning period into the evening at the upper elevations of the fire.

Firing operations started today and will continue tonight along the northwestern fire perimeter. On the lower half of the fire, crews began to mop up, patrol, and backhaul equipment and will continue tonight.

Information Phones: El Portal Fire Call Center is open from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. every day: (209) 372-0327, (209) 372-0328, and (209) 372-0329.

Threats: The community of Foresta (The mandatory evacuation order remains in effect until August 1, 2014, at 3:00 P.M., after which time the residents are allowed to return to their homes.)
The Merced Sequoia Grove


Smoke issues on the El Portal Fire: Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung disease, including asthma, are more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of smoke from wildfires. If heavy smoke is present, vulnerable people should take precautions and avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. The effects of smoke can change quickly, so sensitive or at-risk individuals might consider leaving the area when a long-duration smoky wildfire is forecasted; they should consult their healthcare provider to determine appropriate protective measures to take.