Big Meadow Prescribed fire: This fire is now an escaped prescribed fire and is being suppressed. Fire Managers estimate that 400 acres have burned. Fire managers began the burn on the morning of August 26 and in a very short time realized the holding lines were not going to contain the fire within the boundaries of this burn. The fire began spotting across the line into pockets of brush, down and dead logs and standing dead trees (snags) to the east of the community of Foresta. This fire is within the 1990 A-Rock fire scar. Yosemite Helicopter 551 began bucket drops, which was followed by additional aircraft resources including other water dropping helicopters, (one 3000 gal per drop, heavy helicopter), and Cal Fire fixed winged air tankers. However, aircraft resources terminate operations at night; they will resume flying in the morning. Other ground resources were ordered including additional hand crews, engines and water tenders from Mariposa County and the Stanislaus National Forest. Crews will be working
through the night. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take over the fire on August 27.

Road Closures: The Big Oak Flat road is closed from Highway 140 to Crane Flat and the Foresta road into the community of Foresta. There is no estimated time for the road to re-open. Highway 120 from Big Oak Flat entrance station is open to Crane Flat, on to Tuolumne Meadows, and Highway 395.

For a complete update go to: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm

Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite has grown to 2,200 acres; 10% contained. 500 firefighters, 3 helicopters, 4 air tankers, 24 engines on scene. Road is still closed.