Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park
Aug 8th, 2018, 08:05 AM
#62
Lots of good news. In addition to Highway 120 being re-opened, Highway 140 was re-opened up to the Park gate. The mandatory evacuation has been lifted from Yosemite West for residents only.
https://sierranewsonline.com/ferguso...ations-lifted/
As of yesterday evening, the fire had covered 94,992 acres and was 43% contained. There has not been an update yet today.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Also, the Park will open for residents only at 10:00am today.
https://abc30.com/firefighters-optim...-fire/3907161/
https://sierranewsonline.com/ferguso...ations-lifted/
As of yesterday evening, the fire had covered 94,992 acres and was 43% contained. There has not been an update yet today.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Also, the Park will open for residents only at 10:00am today.
https://abc30.com/firefighters-optim...-fire/3907161/
Last edited by Barbara; Aug 8th, 2018 at 08:13 AM.
Aug 9th, 2018, 08:15 AM
#63
Really good progress on fire containment. The fire has now covered 95,104 acres and is 79% contained.
Crews continue to focus their efforts on the finger of the fire reaching toward Yosemite Valley, and stopping the spread to the North and South Rims of the Valley.
Overnight, firefighters took advantage of higher relative humidity and initiated a burning operation in the Grouse Creek drainage to prevent the fire from becoming established in the drainage and spreading across Wawona Road and further into the Park.
Firefighters will have a presence on all portions of the fire, however resources will be focused on the tunnel area of Big Oak Flats Road, Grouse Creek Drainage, and containment lines leading away from Badger Pass.
https://sierranewsonline.com/good-progress-on-ferguson-fire-overnight-now-79-percent-contained/
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Crews continue to focus their efforts on the finger of the fire reaching toward Yosemite Valley, and stopping the spread to the North and South Rims of the Valley.
Overnight, firefighters took advantage of higher relative humidity and initiated a burning operation in the Grouse Creek drainage to prevent the fire from becoming established in the drainage and spreading across Wawona Road and further into the Park.
Firefighters will have a presence on all portions of the fire, however resources will be focused on the tunnel area of Big Oak Flats Road, Grouse Creek Drainage, and containment lines leading away from Badger Pass.
https://sierranewsonline.com/good-progress-on-ferguson-fire-overnight-now-79-percent-contained/
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Aug 10th, 2018, 08:55 AM
#64
Continued progress. The fire has now covered 95,544 acres and is 80% contained.
Containment has increased to 80 percent. Firefighters are progressing towards full containment with the objective of keeping the fire out of Yosemite Valley. The final piece that must be secured remains between El Portal Road and Wawona Road. To secure this line, firefighters are implementing tactical burning operations along Wawona road north towards Turtle Dome. This operation is expected to take two or three days to complete. Night and day resources are focused on this operation. Progression will be slow and deliberate, when safe, due to the extremely dry vegetation and potential for spotting into the Grouse Creek Drainage. Aerial support from helicopters will assist firefighters on the ground to cool the fire and reduce the risk of fire spotting across the fire line.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Containment has increased to 80 percent. Firefighters are progressing towards full containment with the objective of keeping the fire out of Yosemite Valley. The final piece that must be secured remains between El Portal Road and Wawona Road. To secure this line, firefighters are implementing tactical burning operations along Wawona road north towards Turtle Dome. This operation is expected to take two or three days to complete. Night and day resources are focused on this operation. Progression will be slow and deliberate, when safe, due to the extremely dry vegetation and potential for spotting into the Grouse Creek Drainage. Aerial support from helicopters will assist firefighters on the ground to cool the fire and reduce the risk of fire spotting across the fire line.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Aug 10th, 2018, 01:03 PM
#66
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Yosemite Valley is reopening on August 14th https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/...t-9-00-a-m.htm
Aug 10th, 2018, 01:38 PM
#67
Great news, Patty! Thanks. I'm going to copy the announcment from your link. Some people won't open links and it has additional information.
Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Mariposa Grove reopenings
Wawona & Mariposa Grove reopen Aug 13. Yosemite Valley reopens Aug 14; access via Hwys 140 and 120. No access between Yosemite Valley and Wawona. Tioga Road and Big Oak Flat Road west of Crane Flat have already reopened. Expect limited services parkwide.
Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Mariposa Grove reopenings
Wawona & Mariposa Grove reopen Aug 13. Yosemite Valley reopens Aug 14; access via Hwys 140 and 120. No access between Yosemite Valley and Wawona. Tioga Road and Big Oak Flat Road west of Crane Flat have already reopened. Expect limited services parkwide.
Aug 11th, 2018, 10:21 AM
#68
More good news. The fire has not grown and containment has expanded to 82%.
Advancement of the tactical burning operations along Wawona Road towards Elephant Rock progressed overnight when conditions were safe to do so. Crews were successful in holding areas where active fire burned during the day.
Firefighters expect fire behavior to become more active during the heat of the day today, and contingency plans are in place to prevent the further spread of the fire into the Park. This uncontained fire along the Wawona Road remains the prime focus of operations on the Ferguson Fire. Crews have progressed within a tenth of a mile of Elephant Rock, however there is still substantial work that will need to be accomplished prior to opening Wawona Road. Vegetation is very dry and the fire continues to spot across containment lines. All detected spot fires and slop overs, or fire that went beyond the planned fire line have been suppressed and Aerial support from helicopters will continue to be used. To help prevent further spot fires and slop overs, retardant was sprayed on the east side of Wawona Road. The retardant will coat the ground, inhibiting embers from becoming established spot fires outside the containment line.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
There's also a helpful article from the LA Times.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-...810-story.html
Advancement of the tactical burning operations along Wawona Road towards Elephant Rock progressed overnight when conditions were safe to do so. Crews were successful in holding areas where active fire burned during the day.
Firefighters expect fire behavior to become more active during the heat of the day today, and contingency plans are in place to prevent the further spread of the fire into the Park. This uncontained fire along the Wawona Road remains the prime focus of operations on the Ferguson Fire. Crews have progressed within a tenth of a mile of Elephant Rock, however there is still substantial work that will need to be accomplished prior to opening Wawona Road. Vegetation is very dry and the fire continues to spot across containment lines. All detected spot fires and slop overs, or fire that went beyond the planned fire line have been suppressed and Aerial support from helicopters will continue to be used. To help prevent further spot fires and slop overs, retardant was sprayed on the east side of Wawona Road. The retardant will coat the ground, inhibiting embers from becoming established spot fires outside the containment line.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
There's also a helpful article from the LA Times.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-...810-story.html
Last edited by Barbara; Aug 11th, 2018 at 10:25 AM. Reason: additional information
Aug 12th, 2018, 10:11 AM
#69
Full containment of the Ferguson Fire is seemingly near.
The wildfire in and around Yosemite National Park is 83 percent contained and has burned 403 more acres since Saturday afternoon — bringing the total acreage to 95,947, according to a news release.
Firefighters battled the fire near Elephant Rock, just a mile and a half west of Tunnel View, to ensure the blaze doesn’t make its way into Yosemite Valley.
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local...216541120.html
https://sierranewsonline.com/more-fi...s-96000-acres/
The wildfire in and around Yosemite National Park is 83 percent contained and has burned 403 more acres since Saturday afternoon — bringing the total acreage to 95,947, according to a news release.
Firefighters battled the fire near Elephant Rock, just a mile and a half west of Tunnel View, to ensure the blaze doesn’t make its way into Yosemite Valley.
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local...216541120.html
https://sierranewsonline.com/more-fi...s-96000-acres/
Aug 13th, 2018, 12:52 PM
#70
CURRENT SITUATION:
The Ferguson Fire is now 96,457 acres with 86% containment and 1,020 personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 69 engines, 6 water tenders, 5 helicopters, 16 crews, 2 masticator and 14 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 19 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed. The Ferguson Fire is now the largest fire in the Sierra National Forest's History.
Wawona and Mariposa Grove re-opened today, August 13, at 9:00 AM. Yosemite Valley will be open to visitors tomorrow, Tuesday, August 14 at 9:00 AM. Use extreme caution while driving, as firefighters are still working in the area.
The Ferguson Fire is now in its 32nd day; the incident started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under the command of California Interagency Incident Management Team 3.
Crews are backhauling, or bringing back to camp, equipment, tools and hose that was used in the suppression efforts, but now are no longer needed. Over 200 miles of hose was used on the Ferguson fire and used hose must be brought back to camp and rehabilitated to use on the next fire.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
If you're planning to visit the Park in the next week or so, I recommend checking the Park website for current conditions first. The webcams are showing considerably less smoke, but still enough to make breathing difficult for anyone wth asthma or other problems.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
The Ferguson Fire is now 96,457 acres with 86% containment and 1,020 personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 69 engines, 6 water tenders, 5 helicopters, 16 crews, 2 masticator and 14 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 19 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed. The Ferguson Fire is now the largest fire in the Sierra National Forest's History.
Wawona and Mariposa Grove re-opened today, August 13, at 9:00 AM. Yosemite Valley will be open to visitors tomorrow, Tuesday, August 14 at 9:00 AM. Use extreme caution while driving, as firefighters are still working in the area.
The Ferguson Fire is now in its 32nd day; the incident started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under the command of California Interagency Incident Management Team 3.
Crews are backhauling, or bringing back to camp, equipment, tools and hose that was used in the suppression efforts, but now are no longer needed. Over 200 miles of hose was used on the Ferguson fire and used hose must be brought back to camp and rehabilitated to use on the next fire.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
If you're planning to visit the Park in the next week or so, I recommend checking the Park website for current conditions first. The webcams are showing considerably less smoke, but still enough to make breathing difficult for anyone wth asthma or other problems.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
Aug 13th, 2018, 04:15 PM
#71
Try this link for air quality
Mariposa County, CA - Official Website - AIR QUALITY INDEX
Probably updated every morning...
Mariposa County, CA - Official Website - AIR QUALITY INDEX
Probably updated every morning...
Aug 14th, 2018, 11:12 AM
#72
So, Yosemite Valley re-opened today!
The fire is not out and visitors may see active fire burning along El Portal Road.
Yosemite Valley will be open to visitors today, Tuesday, August 14 at 9:00 AM. Wawona and Mariposa Grove re-opened yesterday, August 13, at 9:00 AM. Use extreme caution while driving, as firefighters are still working in the area.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
The fire is not out and visitors may see active fire burning along El Portal Road.
Yosemite Valley will be open to visitors today, Tuesday, August 14 at 9:00 AM. Wawona and Mariposa Grove re-opened yesterday, August 13, at 9:00 AM. Use extreme caution while driving, as firefighters are still working in the area.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Aug 16th, 2018, 07:53 AM
#73
The fire is now at 87% containment. Full containment is now expected on Wednesday, August 22nd.
Full containment is expected on Wednesday, August 22, however interior parts of the forest will continue to smolder and burn for some time, causing lingering smoke.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Current Situation:
Firefighters were successful in holding the fire within containment lines during the burnout operation between Wawona Road and the Merced River near Elephant Rock. As the fire burns away from the containment line, the threats of spot fires outside the established hand line will diminish. Crews will now concentrate on mopping up inside the fire lines, chipping cut vegetation and removing hazard trees. This work will continue for several days. 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. Estimated incident full containment date has changed to August 22, 2018.
BAER Teams:
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Teams have arrived and will be working on the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests and Yosemite National Park. BAER Teams assigned to the fire determine the location of priority areas and selected treatment strategies. In most cases, only a portion of the burned area will actually be treated.
Ferguson Fire Near Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County Thursday Morning, August 16, 2018 Update: 96,810 Acres with Containment at 87%
Full containment is expected on Wednesday, August 22, however interior parts of the forest will continue to smolder and burn for some time, causing lingering smoke.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Current Situation:
Firefighters were successful in holding the fire within containment lines during the burnout operation between Wawona Road and the Merced River near Elephant Rock. As the fire burns away from the containment line, the threats of spot fires outside the established hand line will diminish. Crews will now concentrate on mopping up inside the fire lines, chipping cut vegetation and removing hazard trees. This work will continue for several days. 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. Estimated incident full containment date has changed to August 22, 2018.
BAER Teams:
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Teams have arrived and will be working on the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests and Yosemite National Park. BAER Teams assigned to the fire determine the location of priority areas and selected treatment strategies. In most cases, only a portion of the burned area will actually be treated.
Ferguson Fire Near Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County Thursday Morning, August 16, 2018 Update: 96,810 Acres with Containment at 87%
Aug 19th, 2018, 09:13 AM
#74
The Ferguson Fire is now fully contained. The fire is now in a mop-up-and-repair phase. There will still be areas burning within the containment lines. Tentative date for re-opening of Wawona Road is Friday, August 24th.
The cause is still under investigation.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Crews are also working to remove hazardous trees along roads, especially on Wawona Road in the national park ahead of its re-opening on Friday.
https://abc7news.com/crews-fully-con...-park/3999658/
The cause is still under investigation.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/
Crews are also working to remove hazardous trees along roads, especially on Wawona Road in the national park ahead of its re-opening on Friday.
https://abc7news.com/crews-fully-con...-park/3999658/
Oct 6th, 2018, 09:18 AM
#75
The Ferguson Fire started when someone drove on to a grass verge and the very hot catalytic converter under the car started the fire.
The U.S. Forest Service said Friday that superheated pieces of a catalytic converter — a piece of equipment on the belly of vehicles through which hot gases flow — are believed to have ignited roadside vegetation on Highway 140, along the Merced River. The roadway is one of just a few that bring motorists from the cities of California to Yosemite National Park.
The fire — which grew to nearly 97,000 acres, an area triple the size of San Francisco — is believed to have begun on eastbound Highway 140 near Savage’s Trading Post between 8 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. on July 13. Anyone with information on the vehicle that may have caused the fire is asked to call the Sierra National Forest at (559) 297-0706.
A vehicle ignited the Ferguson fire, which shut Yosemite this summer - Los Angeles Times
The U.S. Forest Service said Friday that superheated pieces of a catalytic converter — a piece of equipment on the belly of vehicles through which hot gases flow — are believed to have ignited roadside vegetation on Highway 140, along the Merced River. The roadway is one of just a few that bring motorists from the cities of California to Yosemite National Park.
The fire — which grew to nearly 97,000 acres, an area triple the size of San Francisco — is believed to have begun on eastbound Highway 140 near Savage’s Trading Post between 8 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. on July 13. Anyone with information on the vehicle that may have caused the fire is asked to call the Sierra National Forest at (559) 297-0706.
A vehicle ignited the Ferguson fire, which shut Yosemite this summer - Los Angeles Times
