Update: Boot Fire New Evacuations, Section Of Highway 108 Closed

Forest Service photo

Update at 4:15 p.m.: Mono County Sheriff’s Office further relay that officers are currently evacuating residents and campers from the Sonora Pass area spanning nearly four miles south to include the community of Devil’s Gate. Additionally, ranchers are being asked to be prepared to move livestock out of the area south of Highways 395 and 108 in the event evacuations are necessary. The section of roadway closed on Highway 108 from Highway 395 has been expanded from the Tuolumne County line to Kennedy Meadows Road.

The Boot Fire burning near the intersection of Highway 395 and Sonora Pass is 3,000 acres with no containment. Further details on evacuations, closures along with a map can be viewed below.

Update at 3:50 p.m.: The Mono County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that new evacuations have been ordered for the Leavitt Meadows Pack Station and Campground, and the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center. They also relay that the section closed on Highway 108 from Highway 395 h all campgrounds along Highway 108 from Highway 395 to the Tuolumne County line have been shut down. The Boot Fire near the intersection of Highway 395 and Sonora Pass is 3,000 acres and there is no containment. Further evacuation and fire details are below.

Update at 1:45 p.m.: The Sonora Unit of the CHP reports that Highway 108 has been closed from Highway 395 to the Tuolumne County line, which is between Sonora and Leavitt peaks due to the Boot Fire. Dispatch details that vehicles are being turned around in both directions as this is being termed a “long term closure.” Further information on the fire in the Humbolt Toiyabe National Forest impacting Sonora Pass are below.

Update at 10:15pm: The Boot Fire near the intersection of Highway 395 and Sonora Pass is now estimated to be 3,000 acres and there is no containment.

There are evacuations in place for the Bootleg, Chris Flat and Sonora Bridge campgrounds. Highway 395 remains closed in both directions from Highway 108 to Coleville. Structures are threatened east of Walker Canyon. The fire is being fought by a type 3 incident management team, but a larger type 2 team has been ordered. 200 firefighters are currently on scene and more are on the way. The cause of the fire, which ignited at 2:30pm yesterday, is under investigation.

Original story posted at 7am: Bridgeport, CA — The Boot Fire in the Humbolt Toiyabe National Forest is up to 1,200 acres.

It ignited yesterday afternoon at around 2:30pm off Highway 395 approximately four miles from the Highway 108 Sonora Pass junction. It is around 20 miles north of Bridgeport. Air and ground resources will continue to fight the fire today. Highway 395, between Walker and Bridgeport, is closed in both directions until further notice. We’ll pass along more information as it becomes available. There is no word yet on containment or what caused the fire.

A special thanks to community news partner Jason Cross for sending photos. Pictures can be emailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.