Ferguson Fire Photo credit: Suzette Prue
July 25, 2018 - Persistently warm and dry conditions, coupled with poor overnight humidity recovery, created conditions for active fire behavior throughout the day. The Ferguson Fire grew by 3,054 acres throughout the day to a total of 41,576 acres as of 6 p.m.. Containment is at 26 percent.
A mass of dry air moved over the fire Tuesday evening, keeping humidity levels exceptionally low throughout the night. About 1 a.m., mild wind gusts caused isolated spot fires in dry and heavy fuels outside the fire’s southern perimeter, prompting new evacuation orders.
Firefighters were able to construct containment lines using bulldozers to flank both sides of the fire that had slopped over the containment line.
Lushmeadows residents north of Triangle Road from Vista Lago to East Westfall Road, and all side roads to the north, as well as the north side of East Westfall Road to Old Mill Road, and all side roads to the north, began receiving mandatory evacuation notices around 5 a.m. Evacuation orders later expanded to the Ponderosa Basin subdivision.
Residents south of Highway 49 South from Stumpfield Mountain Road east to the Mariposa-Madera County Line, including Kemble, Stumpfield Mountain and Watt Roads were placed under an evacuation advisory.
Elsewhere on the fire, firefighters worked to complete a containment line from the Merced River north along Montgomery Ridge to tie into the area previously burned by the 2013 Rim Fire. Crews also worked to complete a containment line between Eagle Peak and El Portal along the northeast portion of the fire.
Firefighters improved containment lines and fell hazard trees around Wawona Campground southeast of the fire perimeter. Crews also continued mopping up hot spots and patrolling structures southwest of the fire as residents were allowed to return to portions of Jerseydale and Mariposa Pines.
Yosemite National Park closure: Yosemite National Park officials enacted closures today for the Yosemite Valley and Wawona areas, as well as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. For information on Yosemite National Park, go to: nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.
Community Meetings: Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office will present an overview of the current situation and containment efforts at two upcoming community meetings:
• Mariposa: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, Sequoia Hall.
• Groveland: 6 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Tenaya Elementary School.
Full Information on Flyer Below:
