Ferguson Fire Update

Awahanee, CA, August 7, 2018 -Highway 120 is now open to Crane Flat Rd.

The Ferguson Fire grew by 2,829 acres throughout the day and is now 94,331 acres with 43% containment and 2,357personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 202 engines, 18 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 39 crews, 5 masticators and 33 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 11 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed. The Ferguson Fire is now the largest fire in the Sierra National Forest's History. This fire is being managed as a full suppression fire.

The Ferguson Fire is now in its 26th day; the incident started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under unified command between the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, California Interagency Incident Management Team 3, and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Pockets of unburned vegetation remain inside the footprint of the fire, providing a more diversified landscape for plants and wildlife.

Please anticipate delays during your travels around the Ferguson Fire due to road conditions, fire traffic, weather, hazards and smoke conditions related to the fire.

Firefighters will take advantage of another day of moderate fire behavior. The moderate fire behavior is indicated by the lack of vertical movement of air reducing the wind speed, solar heating, and spot fires.

Firefighters have had success in the effort to secure the fire on the southern and northern portions of the fire. Firefighters and heavy equipment are working on large portions of the fire perimeter repairing the containment lines cause by the suppression activities. Repairing of the containment lines is only possible where the fire is cooled and secure.

Spread of the fire into the Yosemite National Park and securing the communities of Foresta and Yosemite West remain the priorities for firefighters. Hand crews are reinforcing line in the drainage north of Foresta to keep the fire from becoming established and crossing containment lines. Firefighters are using an extensive network of hoses to bring water to the hot spots mitigating the potential for spotting into the drainage.

Similar tactics are being used in the Badger Creek area, as firefighters use pumps and hoses to bring water to hot spots near the containment line. Dozers are working to complete the line east of Badger Pass, tying the fire into the 2013 Grouse Fire scare. Crews will construct hand line today from the service road west to Wawona Road (Highway 41). Once completed, this containment line will restrict the southern spread of fire into Yosemite National Park

Tactical burning operation to the north of Yosemite West on August fourth was successful at a critical time of erratic fire behavior. Hazards such as rock slides and weakened trees continue to be a challenge for fire personnel along this stretch of road. Structure Protection firefighters continue to work in and around Yosemite West.

Fire operations along Wawona Road (Highway 41) toward Cascades picnic area will continue today. Firefighters will patrol along Highway 120 to ensure the fire stays between Wawona Road and Highway 120. This tactical operation will prohibit spread of the fire into the valley.
Structure defense specialists and law enforcement remained within the remaining evacuated communities. The structure defense group in repopulated communities will be removing hoses, pumps and sprinklers today, as the threat of fire is reduced.

Fire behavior will decrease as a slight change in the weather occurs. Vegetation is dry and the potential for the fire to spread rapidly remains a possibility. Residents will continue to see smoke and multiple smoke columns.

Firefighters remain committed to fully suppressing this fire and are actively engaged, taking action to limit the fire’s spread when it is safe to do so. The fire activity inside Yosemite National Park is dynamic.

The following areas remain closed: Yosemite Valley, El Portal Road, Wawona Road, Big Oak Flat Road, Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona Campground, Crane Flat Campground, Tamarack Campground, and several other sections of the Park. Please visit www.nps.gov/yose for the most up to date information. The public is reminded to stay vigilant of firefighters and fire traffic along the roadways.

A large portion of Yosemite National Park remains open. Tioga Road from Tioga Pass to White Wolf is open to all visitors and vehicles. Most of the trails and campgrounds along this route, including the Tuolumne Meadows Campground are open. Visitor services along Tioga Road, including the High Sierra Camps and the Tuolumne Meadows Store are open. For more information, go to https://nps.gov/yose or call +1 209 372-0200.