Ferguson Fire jumps up in size
The Ferguson Fire, that started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under unified command between the United States Forest Service, California Interagency Incident Management Team 4, CALFire and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is burning in steep, rugged terrain with little to no access roads. Mandatory and advisory evacuations are in place in several areas but no homes have been damaged or destroyed.
The Ferguson Fire is burning in very rough terrain with high firefighter exposure due to very hot conditions and limited access requiring heavy rotor wing support. Prior to the Rough Fire, this river canyon held the record for the largest fire in the Sierra National Forest, which burned in 1924.
Yosemite National Park remains open. For information, visit nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.
As of press time, the fire is 33,743 acres with 13 percent containment. Some 3,066 personnel are currently engaged on the fire which includes 199 engines, 46 water tenders, 16 helicopters, 66 crews, and 43 dozers. There have been one fatality and six injuries to date. Road closures
Highway 140 is closed from 1.9 miles east of Midpines to the Cedar Lodge area. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. Mandatory evacuations
These area are currently under a mandatory evacuation include: El Portal Trailer Court, Incline Rd from Clearing House to the last BLM campground, Jerseydale/ Mariposa Pines, Cedar Lodge/ Indian Flat Campground, Savage’s Trading Post, Sweetwater Ridge, El Portal Trailer Court, Rancheria Flat — Government Housing, Old El Portal, Yosemite View Lodge, Foresta, Yosemite West, Old Yosemite Road.
Evacuation advisory
This is not an evacuation order. This is an advisement only of a potential evacuation order should conditions change.
• Lushmeadows Community
• Ponderosa Basin Community
• Triangle Road from Jerseydale Road to Highway 49 South including all side roads
• Darrah Road from Triangle to Sherrod Road
• East side of Highway 49S from Darrah Road to Harris Road — this includes Boyer Road, Woodland Area, Wass Road, Tip Top Road
Evacuation center: New Life Christian Fellowship, 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa. Mariposa Sheriff’s Office Emergency Alert System: To sign up for updates, visit https://local.nixle.com/register/.
Animal Shelters: Small animals, SPCA, 5599 California 49, Mariposa, CA 95338 and large animals, Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA 95338.
Donations: When you want to help.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions.
Incident Command Post (ICP): The incident command post for the Ferguson Fire is located at the Awahanee Regional Park. An additional camp has been established at Badger Pass.
Cooperators: California Highway Patrol, CalTrans, Pacific Gas and Electric, California Conservation Corps, Mariposa County Public Works and the American Red Cross.
