Containment of “Woodlot” Fire Expected This Morning

Officials now expect the 450-acre wildfire burning in sourthern Tuolumne County near Yosemite National Park to be contained this morning.

A spokesman for the fire command center at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, Tomas Patlin, said the blaze is about 80 percent contained and should be fully contained by 8 a.m.

“The crews have done exeptional work,” Patlin said. “The major progress was made during the evenings, when the fire slows down and the humidity goes up. That gives us a chance to really go offensively on the fire,” he said.

The fire started in a wood storage lot Tuesday afternoon near El Portal. Some homes were threatened but none were damaged.

Investigators think sparks from a car or a careless smoker ignited the blaze. Arson is also a possibility.