Containment Lines Tested
Tuolumne County, CA – Afternoon thunderstorms helped to whip up the winds and not only did the lines hold, but the acreage did not budge either. The fire remains 255,858 acres or 400 square miles and is still 80% contained. The number of firefighters is down to 2,170. The cost is now $109.2 million.
Incident Command Spokesperson Robin Vora says the thunderstorms can be a challenge. “Fire crews were challenged with the changing wind directions and it can cause the fire activity to pick-up, but we didn’t really see any major problem out there. Crews are getting a pretty good handle on it.”
Fire Officials released these figures on fire suppression repairs completed to date:
30 miles of dozer lines
2 miles of hand line
36 miles of chipping along roads
10 miles of road repair
Here is the update directly from incident Command on the Rim Fire suppression efforts:
Fire Update:
Today, fire resources continued to hold and improve containment lines and repair areas affected by fire suppression activities. Afternoon thunderstorms created some strong winds in the area but all fire lines held. Tonight, firefighters will continue to patrol, mop-up and monitor areas along the fire perimeter, seeking and extinguishing any hotspots
Public Safety:
Anyone traveling on roads within the fire area should use extreme caution. Fire personnel and equipment continue to work in the area. Hazards include smoke, weakened trees (that may fall) and hot burning stump holes. If you must drive through the fire area please do not stop, leave the roadway or enter the burned area on foot.
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 issued an updated Rim Fire Closure for the Groveland and Mi-Wok Ranger Districts. It opens up areas around Crabtree Road.
Road Openings:
Evergreen Road is opened to Evergreen Lodge. State Hwy 120 is open to Crane Flat. The Big Oak Flat Road is open from Crane Flat to Yosemite Valley. Businesses are open and providing services (gasoline, food and lodging) for travelers.
Road Closures:
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, Old Yosemite Road and Hardin Flat Road are closed. Some secondary roads within the fire area remain closed to non-residents.
