Rim Fire Risk Of Spot Fires
Tuolumne County, CA — The Rim fire remains 396 square miles or 253,332 acres and is still 80% contained. The number of firefighters on the scene has dropped to 3,104. The number of injuries has jumped to 9, but Fire Officials say all have been minor. The cost has shot up to $96.2 million dollars. Also, the number of structures threatened has decreased to 1,900.
Incident Command reports shifting winds and dry conditions could spark spot fires overnight. Here is the I.C.’s plan of attack for tonight.
Firefighters will face continued warm and extremely dry night time conditions. Shifting winds coupled with low fuel moistures may lead to active fire behavior. Pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter will continue to burn, creating a potential for spot fires outside containment lines. Tonight’s top priorities are to contain the spot fires along Tioga Road, structure protection at Hetch Hetchy, and patrol of the contained new fire start at Long Barn. Firefighters will patrol, mop up and monitor lines while maintaining structure defense.
Highway 120 between Groveland and Yosemite is open. Fire Officials ask motorists along the highway to use caution and avoid stopping when driving through the fire area. Fire Officials report Highway 120/Tioga Road remains closed from Crane Flat to one half mile 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.
There are no mandatory or advisory evacuations in Mariposa or Tuolumne Counties, but some secondary roads remain closed to non-residents within the fire area. Also, the Air Quality Alert for Tuolumne County has been extended to Monday at Noon.
