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Saturday, August 31, 2013

RIM Fire update 8-31-13 219,277 acres

RIM FIRE INFORMATION
Update #24
Release for Saturday, August 31, 2013/Time: 6:30 AM

Incident Statics
Acres Burned:             219,277 (343 square miles)                             Structures Threatened:                         4,500
Containment:               35%                                                                 Residences Destroyed:                         11
Fire Start Date:             August 17, 2013                                              Commercial Property Destroyed:         3
Fire Cause:                   Under Investigation                                         Outbuildings Destroyed:                      97
Cost to date:                 $54.8 million                                                   Injuries:                                               4
Total Personnel                                                4,995   
                                                                                                               
Fire Update
Last night a spot fire crossed Old Yosemite Road, prompting an expansion of the Mandatory Evacuation in Mariposa County.  Crews burned south from Hetch Hetchy toward Harden Lake on the eastern flank.  Crews continued structure defense in the Highway 108 and 120 corridors, and around Cherry Lake.  Today’s operations will included actions to control the spot fire south of Old Yosemite Road.  Crews will also begin a burning operation from Duckwall Mountain north to Fahey Meadow along Forest Road 3N07and will continue a burning operation in Yosemite National Park near Harden Lake and south to White Wolf and to Tioga Road. Aircraft will continue to support burning operations. 

Park and Forest Closures
Yosemite National Park has closed Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds, both located along Tioga Road. White Wolf Campground and White Wolf Lodge remain closed. 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 Stanislaus Forest Supervisor's Office, 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station, (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station, 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station, 209-962-7825.
Road Closures
Highway 120 remains closed from Buck Meadows to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Highway 120 east/Tioga Road remains open from 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf to the Tioga Pass entrance. Cherry Lake Road is closed at Highway 120. Evergreen Road and Old Yosemite Road are also closed.  Highway 120 from Ferretti Road to Buck Meadows remains open for local residents and businesses only.
Evacuations and Advisories
The Mariposa County Sherriff has expanded the Mandatory Evacuation along Old Yosemite Road to include areas North and South of Bull Creek Road to Little Grizzly Mountain. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday lifted the evacuation advisory for Tuolumne City, Soulsbyville and Willow Springs. The evacuation advisory remains in effect for Ponderosa Hills and areas east, along the south side of Highway 108 up to PinecrestAn Evacuation Warning has been issued for all residences of Bondurant Mine Road, Texas Hill Road, and Wampum Hill. Highway 120 at the Yosemite National Park boundary west to Buck Meadows has been evacuated. Evacuation centers are at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora and at the Greeley Hill Community Center.