Rim Fire Firefighters Numbers Drop
Tuolumne County, CA — The Incident Command reports the fire grew by an acre to 257,135, but the number of firefighters has shrunk from 733 to 595. The Rim Fire is still estimated to be 84% contained. The total cost to battle the blaze is up to $125.8 million dollars.
Here is the update released from Incident Command:
Fire Update:
Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park Type III organization took over the Rim Fire at 7:00 a.m. on Sept. 27th 2013. Fire activity continues to be limited to isolated smoldering interior to the fire containment lines. Suppression repair continues and crews will be patrolling for any hot spots. Firefighters are monitoring the fire in the Yosemite and Emigrant Wilderness Areas between Cherry Lake and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Public Safety:
All roads within the fire area remain closed to the public with the exception of Hwy 120. Travelers and local residents with permission entering the fire area should use extreme caution as fire personnel and contracted equipment continue to work in the area. Hazards may include rocks and debris in the roads, weakened trees and tree limbs that may fall without notice. If you must drive through the fire area do not stop your vehicle, leave the roadway, or enter the burned area on foot. Please use extra caution when driving as logging trucks are using major roads including Highways 108, 120 and 49.
Park and Forest Closures:
Evergreen Road is open only to Evergreen Lodge. Hetch Hetchy and surrounding facilities in Yosemite Park remain closed to public access due to hazardous trees. Aspen Valley is open to residents only. Tuolumne Grove and Hodgdon Meadow Campground remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest issued an updated Rim Fire Area Closure (dated September 12, 2013) for the Groveland and Mi-Wok Ranger Districts. Cherry Lake Road is closed at Hwy 120. Old Yosemite and Harden Flat Roads are closed. Some secondary roads within the fire area remain closed to non-residents. Merced Grove and Tamarack Flat are open.
