Big Meadow, Yosemite National Park, NPS. IMT1 (McGowan). Three miles northeast of El Portal, CA. Brush with heavy dead and down fuels. Isolated pockets of fuel continue to burn.
7:121 a.m. September 6, 2009
The fire was declared 100% contained this morning.
7:15 p.m. September 6, 2009
This morning at 8:00am (September 6, 2009), the road from Big Oak Flat entrance station to Crane Flat and across Tioga pass re-opened. Drivers are advised to use caution due to smoke on the road from vegetation still burning within the containment lines. Although travel is now possible between Groveland and Lee Vining, the road from Crane Flat to the El Portal Road remains closed, making Yosemite Valley accessible ONLY via Mariposa and El Portal along Highway 140 or via Oakhurst and Wawona on Highway 41. Firefighters continue to work aggressively to re-open Big Oak Flat Road.
8:40 a.m. September 6, 2009
Today at 8:00am (September 6, 2009), the road from Big Oak Flat entrance station to Crane Flat and across Tioga Pass will open, making through travel possible between Groveland and Lee Vining. However, the road from Crane Flat to the El Portal Road will remain closed, making Yosemite Valley accessible ONLY via Mariposa and El Portal along Highway 140 or via Wawona on Highway 41.
Current Situation: Fire crews continue to work aggressively on falling hazardous trees along the Big Oak Flat Road. Utility crews have entered the area to repair and restore critical infrastructure to Yosemite National Park and surrounding communities. Some smoke may be visible as vegetation within the containment lines continues to burn.
7:08 p.m. September 5, 2009
Special Announcements: At 8:00am on Sunday, September 6, 2009, the road from Big Oak Flat entrance station to Crane Flat and across Tioga Pass will re-open, making through travel possible between Groveland and Lee Vining. However, the road from Crane Flat to the El Portal Road will remain closed, making Yosemite Valley accessible ONLY via Mariposa and El Portal along Highway 140 or via Wawona on Highway 41.
8:06 a.m. September 5, 2009
The strategy today is to continue to strengthen and hold the fireline near the Tamarack Flat Campground Road. Fire crews are working to remove hazard trees along the Big Oak Flat and Tioga Roads. There is minimal smoke in Yosemite Valley, foothill communities and other areas of the park.
Although road closures will remain in place through Labor Day weekend, Yosemite Valley is open and accessible from Highway 140 via El Portal and Highway 41 from Wawona. In addition, visitors on the east side of the park can still access Tuolumne Meadows, Olmsted Point, and White Wolf via Highway 395 from Lee Vining. Hodgdon Meadow Campground remains open to visitors.
8:50 p.m. September 4, 2009
Current Situation: Today, firefighters continued to strengthen and hold the fireline near the Tamarack Flat Campground Road. This northeast segment of the fire will remain the focus of firefighters tonight, as there is still significant fire activity here. Firefighters continued mop-up along the rest of the perimeter and crews are working hard to clear hazards and make the roads safe for travel. Smoke conditions in Yosemite Valley, foothill communities and other areas of the park are improving significantly.
Although road closures will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend, Yosemite Valley is open and accessible from Highway 140 via El Portal and Highway 41 from Wawona. In addition, visitors on the east side of the park can still access Tuolumne Meadows, Olmsted Point, and White Wolf via Highway 395 from Lee Vining. Hodgdon Meadow Campground remains open to visitors.
Special Announcements: The evacuation order for the community of Foresta was lifted at 10:00 AM today, September 4, 2009. Residents and property owners with proof of residency or ownership are allowed unrestricted access to private property and unburned areas in the immediate vicinity of Foresta.
9:50 a.m. September 4, 2009
Current Situation: Yesterday firefighters completed fireline near the Tamarack Flat Campground Road. Smoke conditions in Yosemite Valley, foothill communities and other areas of the park are improving significantly. Today firefighters will continue restoring trails and fireline to their natural condition, mopping up hot spots, and removing hazard trees in order to open the roads as soon as possible.
Although road closures will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend, Yosemite Valley is open and accessible from Highway 140 via El Portal and Highway 41 from Wawona. In addition, visitors on the east side of the park can still access Tuolumne Meadows, Olmsted Point, and White Wolf via Highway 395 from Lee Vining. Hodgdon Meadow Campground remains open to visitors.
Special Announcements: The evacuation order for the community of Foresta will be lifted at 10:00 AM Friday, September 4, 2009. Residents and property owners with proof of residency or ownership will be allowed unrestricted access to private property and unburned areas in the immediate vicinity of Foresta.
If you are attending the Strawberry Festival at Camp Mather this weekend, please use the Evergreen Road. The Cherry Oil Road is closed through Monday due to traffic accessing fire camp at Drew Meadow.
9:05 p.m. September 3, 2009
Firefighters made excellent progress today in constructing fireline in the Tamarack Flat Campground Road area. This is the last uncontained portion of the fireline. Smoke from interior hot spots and yesterday's burning operations settled in Yosemite Valley and the foothill communities, especially in the morning. Tonight and tomorrow, firefighters will continue restoring roads, trails and fireline to their natural condition, mopping up hot spots, and removing hazard trees in order to open the roads as soon as possible.
Special Announcements: Although road closures will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend, Yosemite Valley is open and accessible from Highway 140 via El Portal and Highway 41 from Wawona. In addition, visitors on the east side of the park can still access Tuolumne Meadows, Olmsted Point, and White Wolf via Highway 395 from Lee Vining. Hodgdon Meadow Campground remains open to visitors.
If you are attending the Strawberry Festival at Camp Mather this weekend, please use the Evergreen Road. The Cherry Oil Road is closed through Monday due to traffic accessing fire camp at Drew Meadow.
Firefighters made significant progress today on the northwest flank of the fire near Crane Flat. Burning operations were successful in stopping the forward progress of the fire along Tioga Road and towards Crane Flat Campground. Along the Tamarack Flat Campground Road, fire spread was minimal due to higher humidity and light winds.
A fire update meeting is scheduled for 6:30pm on Thursday, September 3, at Tenaya Elementary School, 19177 Hwy 120 in Groveland.
Visitors who plan to attend the Strawberry Music Festival should use the Evergreen Road to get to the event. Cherry Lake Road is restricted to residents, fire traffic, and authorized individuals.
Tioga Road Closure in Effect Through Holiday Weekend
For the safety of travelers and firefighters, the Tioga Road closure now in place from Big Oak Flat Road to White Wolf will remain in place through Labor Day weekend and until further notice. Firefighters are currently using the Tioga Road as a fireline in this area and will continue using all available resources to keep the fire south of the road. Hazards that necessitated this road closure include fire vehicle traffic, hazardous dead and burning trees along the roadside, and limited visibility due to smoke on the road.
Access to Tuolumne Meadows from the east side (via Hwy. 395 at Lee Vining) remains open utilizing the Tioga Pass Entrance.
Visitors may call 209-372-0669 or 209-372-0327 for updated fire information during business hours.
A prescribed fire set by Yosemite National Park (NPS) fire crews on Wednesday, August 26, has grown beyond the predetermined fire perimeter and full supression efforts are in effect. The fire was originally slated to burn 90 acres; however it burned beyond the fire lines.
8:50 a.m. Today firefighters will continue to work on containing the fire at Tamarack Flat Campground Road and Tioga Road using all available resources. When conditions are favorable firefighters will conduct burnout operations along Big Oak Flat and Tioga Roads. Firefighters continue to reinforce lines around Foresta and El Portal. No major fire activity is reported in these areas.
Tuesday afternoon, significant fire activity was seen near Tamarack Flat with spotting across the Tioga Road. Air tankers and helicopters attacked these areas aggressively with water and retardant drops.
Current Situation: The evacuation of El Portal residents, which occurred Friday evening, August 28, has been lifted as of 7:30 p.m. last evening. In addition, the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal has reopened for visitors. Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat Campgrounds, and Foresta remain closed. There is no projected opening date at this time.
Special Announcements:The Big Oak Flat Road is closed to through traffic at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station to the junction of the El Portal Road. In addition, the Tioga Road remains closed to through traffic from White Wolf to the Crane Flat Gas Station. There is no projected opening date at this time for either road. Hodgdon Meadow Campground remains accessible to visitors.
Road Closures: The Big Oak Flat Road from Crane Flat Gas Station to the intersection of El Portal Road and Big Oak Flat Road. Road Closures information is available by calling 209-372-0200.
Trail Closures: Old Big Oak Flat Trailhead to El Capitan, Rockslides to El Capitan, Tamarack Creek to El Capitan.
Campground Closures: Tamarack and Crane Flat Campgrounds.
Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Forest Service, Mariposa County Sheriff, Mariposa County Fire, Cal Fire, CHP, American Red Cross, Delaware North Parks and Resort at Yosemite and PG&E.
Many thanks to the Fire Information services for their updates.
