Progressive Day For Rim Fire
Tuolumne County, CA — That is the word from Incident Command as the numbers hold for the Rim Fire. It is still 246 350 or 385 square miles and 80% contained. The number of firefighters battling the blaze has dropped to 3,634. The cost to fight the flames is up to $89.2 million.
Fire Officials say the fire did not act up as much today as yesterday, but it was still active. They say one positive note, there was little fire spotting outside the containment lines.
Here is the latest on the Rim Fire directly from Incident Command:
Active fire behavior occurred today within control lines on the northern portion of the fire. Aerial firing operations using helicopters are planned for this evening to help ignite unburned vegetation within containment lines. Short runs of fire may occur where flames reach the bottom of drainages and move into more heavily vegetated areas. Spot fires were contained today along the fire’s northern flank near Clavey Meadow. Firefighters also contained several small spot fires on the fire’s southeast flank along Tioga Road/State Route 120. Tonight’s operations along the Tioga Road will focus on conducting limited burning operations from hand-lines and natural barriers. Mop-up and hazard tree mitigation will also continue as fire crews work to strengthen control lines. The road is now open to the public from Groveland into Yosemite Valley (see details below). Motorists are asked to use caution and avoid stopping when driving through the fire area.
Road Closures:
State Route 120 is now open from Groveland to Yosemite Valley. State Route 120 (Tioga Road) remains closed from Crane Flat to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Park visitors can access Tuolumne Meadows from SR-395 via the park entrance at Tioga Pass. Cherry Lake Road is closed at State Route 120. Evergreen Road and Old Yosemite Road are also closed. State Route 120 from Ferretti Road to Buck Meadows remains open for local residents and businesses only.
Evacuations and Advisories
State Route 120 at the Yosemite National Park boundary west to Buck Meadows is still evacuated.
