MAJOR FIRE buring near Yosemitie
 

If you are heading to Yosemitie in the near future, be aware that there may be some closings of the Park and roads in the immeidiate area because of LARGE fire currently NOT under control. I saw it on the map on the news tonight and it is buring close to homes in the area, and several have been leveled. It's also burning not far from the Mariposa Grove on ancient Redwoods.

So please keep close to news of the area in your travel plans.

Fire's been going on since Friday. It's located in the Midpines area west of the Arch Rock Entrance. SOme doofus target shooter started it.

They have some containment. DH says the smoke is bad in the Sierra. Not good visibility.

You may see that many here have been discussing the fire on specific Yosemite threads too.

The fire is absolutely not burnign near the Mariposa Grove of Redwoods. The grove is located at teh south entrance near Fish Camop.

The fire is burning near the town of Mariposa.

Here's a short article about conditions in the Park from today's LA Times:

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal...re-yosem-2375/

In general, redwoods are extremely fire resistant, and their seeds need fire to germinate.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, CA-140 is now closed.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl....DTL&tsp=1

Since 140 has been opened & closed you might want to use

www.caltrans.ca.gov or 1-800.427.7623 for current conditions.


140 IS CLOSED 3 MI WEST OF BRICEBURG (MARIPOSA CO) - DUE TO A WILDLAND FIRE -
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

topping.

Update tonight on the news was grim, more than 20,000 acres have burned and the fire, according to local reporters and fire officials is NOT contained yet.

Update as of 7/29/08: has burned 25 homes, power out in Yosemite and town of El Portal near West entrance and very thick smoke, HWY 140 closed so planes can drop fire retardant on the road.
Conditions remain very hot & low humidity with difficult terrain.

I mentioned earlier this year if traveling near a fire in CA pls, pls listen carefully to the news: firefighters have their hands full this year and don't need to be rescuing tourists..