Dramatic Drop In Structures Threatened
Tuolumne County, CA – The Incident Command reports the number of homes in danger by the Rim Fire has plummeted. That number has dropped from 1,285 to 438. The I.C. credits containment lines for the decrease. The fire remains 255,858 acres or 400 square miles and is still 80% contained. The number of firefighters stands at 2,170. The cost is now $109.2 million.
Here is the update directly from incident Command on the Rim Fire suppression efforts:
Fire Update:
Last night, fire resources continued to hold and improve containment lines. As firefighters strengthen and hold lines, the threat to structures has lessened. Today, fire personnel will patrol, mop-up and monitor areas along the fire perimeter, seeking and extinguishing any hotspots and ensuring that fire lines are ready for rehabilitation. Continued fire spread to the Northwest into the Yosemite Wilderness north of Hetch Hetchy is expected. Pockets of vegetation will continue to burn within the containment lines. Fire suppression repair has been completed on 30 miles of dozer lines, 2 miles of hand line, 36 miles of chipping along roads, and 10 miles of roads.
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
(September 12, 2013) Rim Fire Closure for the Groveland and Mi-Wok Ranger Districts.
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.
