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UPDATE 7-31-14:

Yosemite Fire Update 7/30/2014 – 8:00pm

El Portal Fire

 

JULY 30, 2014 8:00 P.M.Big Oak Flat Road Re-Open in Yosemite National Park

 

Fire Start: July 26, 2014, 5:00 P.M.

Location: Old El Portal and Foresta

Cause: Under investigation

Size: 3900 acres

Percent Contained: 34%

Incident Commander: Carlton Joseph/California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT5)

 

Fire Summary:

Today the fire made a one-half to three-quarter mile run in the Crane Creek area. Two small spots were detected in front of the head of the fire. Both spots have been lined and controlled. Smoky conditions challenged air resources. Smoke on the northwest side of the fire obscured viewing of the fire perimeter.

The Dark Hole fire had a wetting rain on it today.

Thunderstorms have increased the threat of lightning. Poor relative humidity recovery above the thermal belt will lead to active fire behavior tonight.

Total Number of Personnel: 1063

Costs to Date: $4,400,000

 

Threats: The community of Foresta remains under a mandatory evacuation order.High voltage transmission lines serving El Portal, Foresta, and Merced Sequoia grove.

Special Announcements: Mitigation of hazards in the community Foresta continues to accommodate the eventual safe return of residents to their homes.

 

Yosemite News Release –July 30, 2014; 8:00 p.m.

Big Oak Flat Road Re-Open in Yosemite National Park

The Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) in Yosemite National Park has been reopened to vehicular traffic on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. The road was temporarily closed due to fire activity related to the El Portal Fire. All other roads within the park, including the Tioga Road, are open and clear, with the exception of the Foresta community access road, which remains closed at this time.

 

Crane Flat, Yosemite Creek, and Bridalveil Creek Campgrounds remain closed. All other park campgrounds remain open.

 

The El Portal Fire started on the afternoon Saturday, July 26, above the community of El Portal. The fire is currently at 3,900 acres, and is 34% contained. The fire is being managed by a Type I Incident Management Team, in conjunction with Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest.

 

Smoke is visible throughout the park and visibility fluctuates throughout the day. Park visitors are urged to use caution while driving in the park due to decreased visibility. The park is constantly monitoring the air quality within Yosemite National Park.

Road closures within the park may change at any time. Visitors seeking updated information regarding road conditions should call 209-372-0200.

 

UPDATE from Mammoth Lakes Tourism:  Here’s the latest information on Road Closures due to the El Portal Fire:
Big Oak Flat Road is Closed; no access to Yosemite via Highway 120 from the west

The Big Oak Flat Road is temporarily closed; there is no access to Yosemite via Highway 120 from the west (except to Hetch Hetchy). Tioga Road is open and accessible only from the east (Tioga Pass to Crane Flat), but the road dead-ends at Crane Flat.

 

Yosemite Fire Update 7/29/2014 – 8:00pm

El Portal Fire

Fire Start:    July 26th, 2014 5 P.M.

 

Location:     Old El Portal and Foresta

 

Cause:        Under Investigation

 

Size:           3545 acres

 

Percent Contained: 34%

Incident Commander:  Carlton Joseph/California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT5)

 

Fire Summary: 

Today’s effort on the El Portal fire resulted in an improved percentage of containment on the southern portion of the fire as well as some steady improvement upon the lower western and easter flanks of the fire. Fire officials do remain concerned over the fire’s growth on the north and northeast sections of the fire perimeter as efforts continue to address problem spots along these areas. Steep, rugged terrain continues to challenge the efforts of firefighters but progress is being made. The weather forecast calls for continued high temperatures reaching as high as 100 degrees near El Portal. These patterns will continue as a high pressure over the region remains stationary. Thunderstorm activity, if any, is predicted to stay to the east of the fire. Fire activity is expected to continue through  evening particularly in the north and northeast sections of the fire as a result of poor overnight relative humidity recovery.

 

Information Phones: Yosemite Call Center: (209) 372-0327 or (209) 372-0328

 

Total Number of Personnel:  864

 

Threats:   Communities of Old El Portal and Foresta. High voltage transmission lines serving El Portal, Foresta and Merced Sequoia grove.

 

Road Closures: Big Oak Flat Road between Crane Flat and El Portal Road (Highway 140)

 

Special Information: An additional 224 personnel have arrived to meet the needs of the El Portal fire. Limited threats posed by the Dark Hole fire has reduced staffing to 31 personnel.

 

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