Rim Fire Now 192,466
Tuolumne County, CA — The Rim Fire has now grown to 192,466 or 301 square miles and is 30 % contained. There have been 4 injuries to firefighters none of them serious. 4, 537 firefighters are battling the blaze at a cost of $39.2 million dollars to date. There are still 4,500 residences threatened.
Fire Update:
The Tuolumne County Sherriff’s Office has lifted the evacuation order and PG&E has restored power to Graham Ranch Road, allowing residents only to return home. Tonight, crews will continue with burning operations as long as weather conditions allow, and will construct and improve fire lines.Firefighters used aerial ignitions today to burnout Pilot Ridge on the southern portion of the fire. The burnout planned from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir south to Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park did not occur. Conditions were not conducive to lighting and containing the fire. Firefighters continue to provide structure defense and improve fire lines. The California National Guard is operating drone aircraft to help efforts to contain the fire. It will identify where fire activity is located, how it is moving, including locating and identifying spot fires. Fire Officials say It will improve the ability to protect life property and natural resources.
Road Closures:
This afternoon Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Officials opened North Tuolumne Road to Black Oak Casino and Tuolumne Road to Cherry Valley Boulevard. The casino is now opened once again as well. However, Ponderosa Hills and Tuolumne City are still closed. They are both only open to residents and fire personnel. Highway 120 remains closed to all inbound and outbound Yosemite National Park traffic to Crane Flat Campground. A portion of the Tioga Road, from Crane Flat to White Wolf, is closed. Highway 120 east/Tioga Road remains open from White Wolf east to the Tioga Pass entrance. Also closed are Cherry Lake at Highway 120, Evergreen Road and Old Yosemite Road. Highway 120 from Ferretti Road to Buck Meadows remains open only for local residents and business only.
Evacuations and Advisories:
Residents on Clements Road near Pine Mountain Lake have begun to move back into their homes. The evacuation order was lifted at 6pm for about 16 homes allowing for the residents return. The evacuation advisory for Tuolumne City, Ponderosa Hills and the area east of Highway 108 from Soulsbyville to Mi-Wuk to Pinecrest Lake is still in effect.
A Mandatory Evacuation has been issued for residences north of Old Yosemite Road (Forest Road 2S01). Highway 120 at the Yosemite. An Evacuation Warning has been issued for all residences north of Bull Creek Road (Forest Road 2S02), Bondurant Mine Road, Texas Hill Road, and Wampum Hill. An evacuation center is located at the Greeley Hill Community Center.
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 will remain closed. If you have questions about Yosemite National Park please call 209-372-0327 or 209-372-0329. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of Highway 108.
