Update #19
Release for Wednesday, August 28, 2013/Time: 6:30 PM
Incident Statics
Acres Burned: 192,466 (301 square miles
Structures Threatened: 4,500
Containment: 30%
Structures Destroyed: 111
Fire Start Date: August 17, 2013
Injuries: 4
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Total Personnel: 4,537
Cost to date: $39.2 Million
Fire Update
Firefighters used aerial ignitions today to burnout Pilot Ridge on the
southern portion of the fire. The burnout planned from Hetch Hetchy
Reservoir south to Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park did not occur.
Conditions were not conducive to lighting and containing the fire.
Firefighters continue to provide structure defense and improve
firelines. The California National Guard is operating a remotely
piloted aircraft to help efforts to contain the fire. It will
identify where fire activity is located, how it is moving, including
locating and identifying spot fires. It will improve the ability to
protect life property and natural resources. The Tuolumne County
Sherriff’s Office has lifted the evacuation order and PG&E has
restored power to Graham Ranch Road, allowing residents only to return
home. Tonight, crews will continue with burning operations as long as
weather conditions allow, and will construct and improve firelines.
Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek
Campgrounds, both located along the Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground
and White Wolf Lodge will remain closed. If you have questions about
Yosemite National Park please call 209-372-0327 or 209-372-0329. The
Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire
Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of
Highway 108. Additional details are available from the Groveland
Ranger District, 209-962-7825
Road Closures
Highway 120 remains closed to all inbound and outbound Yosemite
National Park traffic to Crane Flat Campground. A portion of the
Tioga Road, from Crane Flat to White Wolf, is closed. Highway 120
east/Tioga Road remains open from White Wolf east to the Tioga Pass
entrance. Also closed are Cherry Lake at Highway 120, Evergreen Road
and Old Yosemite Road. Highway 120 from Ferretti Road to Buck Meadows
remains open only for local residents and business only.
Evacuations and Advisories
A Mandatory Evacuation has been issued for residences north of Old
Yosemite Road (Forest Road 2S01). Highway 120 at the Yosemite
National Park boundary west to Buck Meadows has been evacuated. An
evacuation center is located at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora.
An evacuation advisory is in effect from Tuolumne City and the area
east of Highway 108 to Pinecrest Lake. An Evacuation Warning has been
issued for all residences north of Bull Creek Road (Forest Road 2S02),
Bondurant Mine Road, Texas Hill Road, and Wampum Hill. An evacuation
center is located at the Greeley Hill Community Center.
For more information on this press release or if you have questions
regarding the information, please contact the Rim Fire at 805-727-4775
or 805-727-4746. Updated information can also be obtained at
http://www.inciweb.org/
report to the Incident Command Post to check in with the Public
Information Officers.