Ferguson Fire Morning Update for August 14, 2018

Ferguson Fire Info Line: (530) 377-6221 Media Line: (530) 377-6424
Incident Start Date: 7/13/2018 Cause: Under Investigation Size: 96,457 acres Containment: 86%
Incident Type: Full Suppression Vegetation Type: Brush and timber
Unified Command Agencies: U.S Forest Service, National Park Service and Interagency Command Team 3
Resources Assigned: Engines: 69 Water Tenders: 6 Helicopters: 5 Crews: 10 Dozers: 14 Masticators: 4 Total Personnel: 1,020

Current Situation: Increase in containment reflects the progress firefighters are making towards meeting the objective of fully suppressing the fire. There continue to remain pockets of unburned vegetation from Grouse Creek drainage, along Wawona Road to the base of Elephant Rock. This portion of the fire is consuming vegetation further from Wawona Road’s edge, and into the interior of the fire. As the fire burns away from the containment lines the threats of spot fires outside the established hand line will diminish.

As expected, containment increased near the Yosemite Ski and Snow Board Area (Badger Pass). A spike camp, or a smaller satellite camp, is established at the ski area to reduce drive time to this portion of the fire. All other incident personnel remain at the Incident Command Post in Ahwahnee.

Significate milestones have been accomplished by firefighters along the perimeter of the fire, allowing Yosemite National Park to announce the reopening of Wawona and the Mariposa Grove to visitors today. As visitors and residents return to the area, they may continue to see visible smoke within the perimeter of the fire. Vegetation is dense throughout the fire area, and the large downed logs and trees may burn and produce smoke for some time.

Suppression repair efforts continue on large portions of the fire perimeter. The main effort of the repair group is to mitigate the effects of suppression. This may include repairing dozer and hand line, using heavy equipment to build water bars, bring in berms and vegetation.

Weather: Monsoonal moisture will linger today, maintaining the chance for showers and thunderstorms over the Sierra Crest. Maximum temperatures between 91 and 102 will be expected and relative humidity will be similar to yesterday, between 16 and 26 percent.

Area Opportunities: Visitors returning to the area should be mindful of firefighters, equipment, and road construction delays. For information regarding visiting Yosemite Park call (209) 372-0200. The unique gateway communities of Yosemite National Park are open for visitors, including Bass Lake, south of Yosemite on Highway 41. Highway 120, also known as Yosemite’s Tioga Road, is open through the Park. This includes the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, White Wolf Campground, Soda Spring, Tenaya Lake, and Lembert Dome. The Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests have abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.

Closures and Restrictions:
Highway 140 (El Portal Road) east from the entrance of Yosemite National Park
Wawona Road to Yosemite Valley (Residents Only to Yosemite West.)
Yosemite Valley remains closed. For more information, go to htttp://nps.gov/yose or call +1 209 372-0200.

U.S Forest Service: A closure order is in effect for the Groveland Ranger District in the vicinity of the Ferguson Fire on the Stanislaus National Forest. The Sierra National Forest Closure due to the Ferguson Fire can be found at the Sierra National Forest website.

Great job Firefighters! You guys (and gals) are the best!

Incident Start Date: 7/13/2018 Cause: Under Investigation Size: 96,606 acres Containment: 86%
Incident Type: Full Suppression Vegetation Type: Brush and timber
Unified Command Agencies: U.S Forest Service, National Park Service and Interagency Command Team 3
Resources Assigned: Engines: 51 Water Tenders: 4 Helicopters: 3 Crews: 8 Dozers: 13 Masticators: 2 Total Personnel: 910

Current Situation: Firefighters are making slow, steady progress in containing the remaining hotspots of the Ferguson Fire near Elephant Rock between Wawona Road and the Merced River. The potential for the fire to spot across established control lines remains, but fire managers are confident there are enough suppression resources assigned to this area to deal with the situation. This portion of the fire is consuming vegetation further from Wawona Road’s edge, and into the interior of the fire. As the fire burns away from the containment lines the threats of spot fires outside the established hand line will diminish.

Suppression repair efforts continue on the remaining portions of the fire perimeter. The main effort of the repair group is to mitigate the effects of suppression. This may include repairing dozer and hand line, using heavy equipment to build water bars, bring in berms and vegetation.

Yosemite Valley Re-Opens to the Public: Significate milestones were accomplished by firefighters along the perimeter of the fire, allowing Yosemite National Park to announce the reopening of Yosemite Valley to visitors today at 9 AM. Wawona and Mariposa Grove opened yesterday. As visitors and residents return to the area, they may continue to see visible smoke within the perimeter of the fire. Fire equipment and personnel are sharing the road with park visitors. Please drive defensively and slow down when approaching fire equipment parked along park roads and turnouts.

One Less Spark: The public is reminded that it takes just one spark to ignite a wildfire. New fires start everyday by accident or carelessness. Please check with state and or federal agencies for the most current fire use restrictions.

Closures and Restrictions:
Wawona Road to Yosemite Valley (Residents Only to Yosemite West.)
Glacier Point Road

Yosemite Valley opened at 9 AM today. For more information go to https://nps.gov/yose or call +1 209 372-0200.

U.S Forest Service: A closure orderis in effect Groveland Ranger District in the vicinity of the Ferguson Fire on the Stanislaus National Forest. The Sierra National Forest Closure due to the Ferguson Fire can be found at the Sierra National Forest website.

For the latest information on the Ferguson Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/.