Rim Fire Is 40% Contained

Tuolumne County, CA — The Rim Fire is now 222,777 acres and is 40% contained.

The cost to battle the blaze has surpassed $60 million. The fire is now the 4th largest in California’s recorded history. As of this evening, 5,069 firefighters are on scene. 

It was another busy day for firefighters. Here’s the latest information provided this evening by the Incident Command:

Fire Update

Good progress was made on containing a spot fire in the southern region of the fire. Moderate fire behavior was observed where fire was burning from ridge tops downslope. Burning operations commenced between Hells Mountain and Clavey Meadow. Burning operations continued along Tioga Road near Crane Flat and in the Hetch Hetchy area. Completion of burnout operations were done in between Big Oak Station and Hazel Green Ranch. The fire movement is advancing to the east further into Yosemite National Park’s Aspen Valley and Cottonwood Meadow. Natural Barriers are limiting the spread to the northeast near Lake Eleanor.

Park and Forest Closures

The Stanislaus National Forest has expanded the area closure for the Mi-Wok Ranger District on the northern end and the entire Groveland Ranger District. 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.

Road Closures

Highway 120 remains closed from Buck Meadows to 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf. Highway 120 east/Tioga Road remains open from 1 ½ miles east of White Wolf to the Tioga Pass entrance. Cherry Lake Road is closed at Highway 120. Evergreen Road and Old Yosemite Road are also closed. Highway 120 from Ferretti Road to Buck Meadows remains open for local residents and businesses only.

Evacuations and Advisories

The Mariposa County Sherriff lifted the Mandatory Evacuation along Old Yosemite Road to include areas North and South of Bull Creek Road to Little Grizzly Mountain. An evacuation advisory remains in effect for Ponderosa Hills and areas east, along the south side of Highway 108 up to Pinecrest. An Evacuation Warning has been issued for all residences of Bondurant Mine Road, Texas Hill Road, and Wampum Hill. Highway 120 at the Yosemite National Park boundary west to Buck Meadows has been evacuated. Evacuation centers are at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora and at the Greeley Hill Community Center.