UPDATE 7:18 a.m.: The Ferguson Fire is now 49,619 acres and 29 percent contained.
7:30 p.m.:
Yosemite Valley won't be open to all visitors for another week because of a massive wildfire that has grown to nearly 72 square miles (186 square kilometers).
Yosemite National Park officials said Friday that the park won't reopen to everyone until the afternoon of Aug. 3.
They say "limited visitor services" will be available inside the valley until then.
Yosemite Valley has been closed since July 25 because of smoke from a fire now 29 percent contained.
The closure has been heartbreaking for travelers, many of whom had planned their trips months in advance to hike and climb amid the spectacular views in Yosemite.
At least 1,000 campground and hotel bookings had been canceled through Thursday.
UPDATE 5:28 p.m. Friday:
The California Office of Emergency Services personnel have been deployed to the Ferguson Fire to coordinate resources and mutual aid.
The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office is advising residents to keep watch for notifications regarding repopulation areas, times, and entry points.
According to the Sheriff's office, the evacuation process goes in phases, one hourse, one street or one block at a time. Re-population traffic is usually routed to different points of entry for citizen and fire safety due to fire suppression traffic around the evacuated area.
Times and locations will be part of a repopulation notification from the Sheriff's office.
Residents currently in repopulated zones are advised of hazards in burned areas behind the fire line. Residents are advised to not enter the fire line or burned areas.
Hazards include burned or unstable trees, hot stump holes, and hidden pits containing ash. These hazards could result in serious injury or death.
Firefighters will be patrolling the the fire line next to repopulated zones.
There will be a community meeting addressing the Ferguson Fire on July 27 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Tenaya Elementary School, located 19177 Highway CA-120 in Groveland. Officials will be giving an overview of the fire, providing handouts, and will be available to answer questions.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Ferguson Fire continues to pose a challenge for firefighters in Mariposa County.
As of 6 a.m. on July 27, the fire has grown by an additional 1,688 acres overnight, bring the total acreage to 45,911.
Despite the increase in growth, containment did increase to 29 percent.
Containment is the focus of firefighters on the north and south end of the fire. North crews are focusing on existing containment lines and plan to scout containment lines closer to fire’s edge during the daylight hours. Southern crews are attempting to widen and extend constructed containment lines that are designed to redirect the fire.
Southern crews were impacted by a change in winds. Even though daytime winds out of the southwest helped firefighters' efforts to direct the fire back to its original perimeter, a forecasted shift to the winds blowing out of the north could redirect flames toward firefighters and the newly constructed containment lines.
The Ferguson Fire has claimed the one life and has caused seven firefighter injuries and one firefighter fatality. Currently, there are 261 engines, 55 water tenders, 16 helicopters, 93 crews, 79 dozers, and 3,821 total personnel combating the fire.
Yosemite National Park announces temporary closures:
Closures to Yosemite Valley and Wawona were effective on July 25 to all visitors due to the impacts of the Ferguson Fire. Closures include hotels, campgrounds, and visitor services in those areas. The closure impacted park visitors who were staying in the campgrounds and lodging facilities to leave the area. The temporary closure is expected to last until July 29.
Evacuations:
Mandatory evacuations include-
- Anderson Valley
- Cedar Lodge/Indian Flat Campground
- East Westfall Road to Chowchilla Mountain
- Road, and all side roads
- El Portal Trailer Court
- Foresta
- Incline Road from Foresta Bridge to the last
- BLM campground
- Lushmeadows Community
- Old El Portal
- Old Yosemite Road
- Ponderosa Basin Community
- Rancheria Flat – Government Housing
- Savage’s Trading Post
- Tip Top Road from Triangle Road to Gunther
- Road, including Gunther Road
- Triangle Road from Darrah Road in the Lushmeadows area to Highway 49 South, and all side roads
- Yosemite View Lodge
- Yosemite West
Road closures:
Highway 140 closed from -
- The entrance of Yosemite National Park to 1.5 miles east of Midpines
- Incline Road, River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat an all Campground areas along Highway 140
- Hites Cove/Jerseydale Road, Foresta Road, Anderson Valley Road, Summit Road, and Old Yosemite Road.
Triangle Road closed from -
- Darrah Road to Highway 49 South; East Westfall Road
- Chowchilla Mountain Road closed at -
- Highway 49 South
- Harris Road at Highway 49 South,
- Tip Top Road from Triangle Road to Gunther Road
- All roads inside the Lushmeadows subdivision
- All roads inside the Ponderosa Basin subdivision
Wawona Road closed -
- Between Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona and Bridalveil Falls Road in Yosemite Valley
Shelters:
Red Cross Shelter -
- Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones Street, Mariposa, CA
Animal Shelter -
- Small animal: Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones Street, Mariposa, CA
- Large animal: 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA
Local firefighters deployed to Ferguson Fire
Firefighters from around the region have been deployed to the Ferguson Fire. Crews from Turlock Fire Department, Sacramento Fire Department, Lathrop Manteca Fire District, and Modesto Fire Departments are currently helping their fellow firefighters at the scene.
Turlock Fire Department deployed on July 15 for Immediate Need Structure Protection. OES E339 and a Batallion Chief are currently deployed to the Ferguson Fire. Many of the firefighters have been engaged in Fire Attack and Structure Protection, as of July 23.
Sacramento Fire Department tweeted out OES 8434 leaving Sacramento heading out to the Ferguson Fire on July 16. The local Sacramento firefighters have been providing structure protection and “mop up” post firing operations.
Lathrop Manteca Fire District Firefighters have the OES 316 fire engine and crew deployed to the Ferguson Fire.The total number of firefighters deployed from LFMD was 13 on July 20.
One more before you go.... Devastating fires aren't just a rural problem anymore. As our climate and communities change, so does when and where wildfires will strike next. ABC10's Monica Woods shows why: