Current Situation:  Current Situation:  The Ferguson Rockslide Incident, located on the Sierra National Forest in the Merced River Canyon, still remains active.  Smaller size rocks continue to fall on a periodic basis. The rockslide is being monitored 24 hours per day, and emergency response communications are in

place to report any catastrophic movement or river inundation.  The geology report and the multi-agency response plan are available on the incident website. (http://inciweb.org/incident/236).

The Information Center in Mariposa will be closed as of Wednesday, July 19, 2006. However, However, we will continue to update the incident website (http://inciweb.org/incident/236) and information will still be available from the following sources:

• For road and construction information, please call the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) at 209/941-6562.
• For information on US Forest Service closures in the area and for slide updates, please call the US Forest Service at 559/ 297-0706, ext. 4804.
• For Yosemite area information, please call 209/372-0200.

(Media requests for Yosemite National Park can be directed to the Media Relations Office at 209/372-0529.)

Construction Update: Work on the temporary emergency solution continues at the rockslide site. The concrete footings for the downstream bridge are almost in place and workers are continuing to make improvements to the historic roadbed across the river. Additionally, the footings for the upstream bridge are nearing completion.

The temporary emergency solution will be completed in two phases. Phase one of this temporary emergency solution is projected to be completed by the end of July. Phase one includes only the construction of the downstream bridge, with one-way traffic crossing back to the west side of the river on the Foresta Bridge.

Mariposa, Midpines, El Portal, and Yosemite National Park visitor and information centers, businesses, and accommodations are all OPEN FOR BUSINESS.  Commercial rafting companies remain open and continue to offer rafting trips seven days a week.

Road Closures and Special Orders:  The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District, has an emergency area closure in effect along the Merced River.  The closure begins along the Merced River known as the South Fork confluence to Ned’s Gulch.  THIS ROCKSLIDE IS ACTIVE AND UNPREDICTABLE.  Do not attempt to enter this extremely hazardous area. Due to safety concerns, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will ticket people in violation of the closure.