Telegraph Fire Closing In On $19 Million Cost
Mariposa, CA — According to CAL Fire officials the cost of fighting the six day old 33,705 acre Telegraph Fire now stands at $18.8 million.
The fire is 40 percent contained. No date for full containment has been issued. CAL Fire has reduced the number of residences destroyed from 25 to 21 but increased the number of outbuildings destroyed from 27 to 33.
The Yosemite Park thrust of the fire has been halted. It is now burning in a northerly direction into the Stanislaus National Forest.
On scene are 4,427 personnel including 96 hand crews. Other resources include 458 engines, 57 water tenders, 64 dozers, 13 helicopters and 12 air tankers. 15 minor injuries have been suffered by the firefighters.
As of 5pm Wednesday, the Incident Command Team announced that the following areas had reopened for entry by residents: areas to include Mt. Bullion Access Rd. from Hwy 49 North to the CDC Camp, Mykleoaks Rd. from Hwy 49 North to and including Bear Trap Rd., Fournier Rd. and French Camp Rd., areas to include Grosjean, Avoca Vale, Serpentine and Lake View, East Whitlock closing at Colorado Rd., Oak Rd., Yosemite Oak, Crystal Aire including all spur roads and Colorado Rd. to Rancheria Creek Rd. (Rancheria Rd. will remain closed at this time). Residents are required to show identification of residency in order to re-enter the aforementioned areas.
Written by Bill Johnson
