Full Notification

FERGUSON FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE
Date: 7/18/2018
Time: 7:00 a.m. @CAL_FIRE @CALFIREMMU @Sierra_NF @MariposaSheriff @CALFIRE @CALFIREMMU @SierraNF @MariposaCountySheriff
Public Information Line: (530) 377-6221
Media Information Line: (530) 377-6424
Incident Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/ Email Updates (Sign-Up): www.tinyurl.com/fergusonfire

INCIDENT FACTS
Incident Start Date: 7/13/2018
Incident Start Time: 9:36 p.m.
Incident Type: Vegetation
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Location: Merced River Canyon
Unified Command Agencies: CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, Mariposa County Sheriff
Size: 17,319 acres Containment: 5%
Expected Full Containment: Unknown
Civilian Injuries: 0
Firefighter Injuries: 2
Civilian Fatalities: 0
Firefighter Fatalities: 1
Structures Threatened: 108
Structures Destroyed: 0
Structures Damaged: 0

CURRENT SITUATION Situation Summary: The fire was fairly quiet overnight, with activity picking up in the area around Sweetwater Creek shortly before dawn. The fire is now established in the bottom of Sweetwater Creek. Crews worked overnight on securing line around Cedar Lodge and Indian Flat. The power line has been completed, and power has been restored to the area. Work also continued on containment lines protecting the communities of Jerseydale/ Mariposa Pines and Yosemite West. Today, crews will continue to monitor and mop up in the areas around Cedar Lodge, Indian Flat, and Cold Canyon. They will begin contingency line construction up Pinoche Ridge from the Merced River, improve dozer and handlines around Yosemite West and Jerseydale, and take suppression action to keep the fire East of Snyder Ridge. They will also use aerial resources to try to keep the fire on top of Ferguson Ridge when conditions permit. Weather today is predicted to be hot and dry, and the smoke inversion is again expected to stay over the area until mid- to late- afternoon. Monsoonal moisture is expected to start pushing in from the South, and some thunderstorm buildup can be expected over the Sierra Crest by late afternoon. Thunderstorms can produce gusty, erratic winds, causing hazards to firefighters.

Mandatory Evacuations: Areas that are currently under a mandatory evacuation include: Incline Rd from Foresta Bridge to the last BLM campground; Jerseydale/ Mariposa Pines; Cedar Lodge/ Indian Flat Campground, Savage’s Trading Post and Sweetwater Ridge.

Evacuation Advisory: This is NOT an Evacuation Order. This is an advisement only of a potential Evacuation Order should conditions change.
• Yosemite West
• Lushmeadows Community
• Ponderosa Basin Community
• Triangle Rd from Jerseydale Rd to Hwy 49 South including all side roads.
• Darrah Rd from Triangle to Sherrod Rd
• East side of Hwy 49S from Darrah Rd to Harris Rd- This includes Boyer Rd, Woodland Area, Wass Rd, Tip Top Rd
• National Park Service El Portal Complex
• Rancheria Flat- Government Housing
• El Portal Trailer Court
• Old El Portal

Evacuation Center(s): New Life Christian Fellowship: 5089 Cole Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338

Road Closures: Highway 140 is closed from Abbie Rd in El Portal to 1.5 miles North of Midpines. Incline Rd, River Road from Briceburg to the gate at Railroad Flat and all Campground areas closed. Hites Cove / Jerseydale Rd.

Animal Evac. Center(s): Small Animal Shelter: SPCA of Mariposa County: 5599 CA-49, Mariposa, CA 95338

Large Animal Shelter: Mariposa County Fairgrounds: 5007 Fairgrounds Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338

ASSIGNED RESOURCES
Engines: 158
Water Tenders: 5
Helicopters: 5
Hand Crews: 44
Dozers: 16
Total Personnel:
1850 Air Tankers: Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Cooperating Agencies: Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office; CAL OES; California Highway Patrol; CALTRANS; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; American Red Cross; National Weather Service. California Conservation Corps; BLM, and additional agencies throughout the state.

To sign up for the Mariposa Sheriff’s Office Emergency Alert System visit: https://local.nixle.com/register/ To learn more about wildfire preparedness visit: www.readyforwildfire.org

Instructions:

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