Few Left Fighting Rim Fire

Tuolumne County, CA — There were over 5,000 firefighters attacking the Rim fire at its peak, but now that number has dropped to less than 50. A new update put out by the Forest Service on the third largest blaze in California’s recorded history reports there are now 42 firefighters working the fire. The containment is still at 95% with 257, 171 acres or 402 square miles burned. The total cost to battle the blaze to this point is $127.345 million. The estimated containment date is still Sunday, October 27th.

Here is the release from the Forest Service:

Fire Update:

The Rim fire is now being managed by the Groveland and Mi-Wok Ranger Districts on the Stanislaus National Forest. Minimal fire spread is expected over the next week. There is one 800-1000 acre pocket of vegetation near Kibbie Lake that remains with a potential to burn. Resources will continue to patrol and mop-up while continuing to implement the suppression repair plan. Commercial recreation along the Tuolumne and Clavey Rivers continues to be impacted. The developed areas of Hetch-Hetchy remain evacuated.

Park and Forest Closures:

Evergreen Road is open only to Evergreen Lodge. Hetch Hetchy and surrounding facilities in Yosemite Park remain closed to public access due to hazardous trees. Aspen Valley is open to residents only. Tuolumne Grove and Hodgdon Meadow Campground remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest Rim Fire Area Closure (dated September 30, 2013) for the Groveland and Mi-Wok Ranger Districts. Cherry Lake Road is closed at Hwy 120. Old Yosemite and Harden Flat Roads are closed. Some secondary roads within the fire area remain closed to non-residents. Merced Grove and Tamarack Flat are open.