Latest Rim Fire Incident Report
Fire officials will brief attendees on the status of the fire and answer questions about the incident and plans for the area.
Hotter and drier weather Saturday, coupled with low fuel moistures resulted in continued burning of vegetation within the fire area. Burning in the northwestern portion of the fire was most active well within the fire perimeter and posed no threat to containment lines.
The fire has burned 252,521 acres as of Saturday eveniing. There are 3,312 personnel still working the incident.
The ashen forest left by the Rim Fire. (USFS - Mike McMillan)
On the northern flank firefighters contained two spotfires below Cherry Ridge with the aid of helicopter water drops. Crews contained another spot fire on the eastern flank. Winds pushed the fire deeper into the Emigrant Wilderness and Yosemite National Park north of Eleanor Lake.
Southwest winds tonight will again test containment lines especially in recently burned out areas on the eastern flank. Motorists along State Route 120 are asked to use caution and avoid stopping when driving through the fire area.
A hot shot firefighter working mop-up on the Rim Fire. (USFS - Mike McMillan)
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 remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest has issued an area closure for the entire Groveland Ranger District and for the Mi-Wok Ranger District east of State Route 108.
Additional details are available from the Stanislaus Forest Supervisor's Office 209-532-3671; Mi-Wok Ranger Station (209) 586-3234; Summit Ranger Station 209-965-3434; and Groveland Ranger Station 209-962-7825.
Road Closures
State Route 120 is now open from Groveland to Yosemite Valley. State Route 120 (Tioga Road) remains closed from Crane Flat to 1.5 miles east of White Wolf. Park visitors can access Tuolumne Meadows from SR-395 via the park entrance at Tioga Pass. Cherry Lake Road is closed at State Route 120. Evergreen Road Old Yosemite Road and Hardin Flat Road are also closed.
Evacuations and Advisories
No mandatory or advisory evacuation orders are in effect in Mariposa or Tuolumne Counties but some secondary roads remain closed to non-residents within the fire area.
For more information or if you have questions please contact the Rim Fire at 805-727-4775 or 805-727-4746. If you have questions about Yosemite National Park call 209-372-0327 or 209-372-0329.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Saturday August 17th, 2013 approx. 03:15 PM |
| Location | Groveland Range District, Stanislaus NF |
| Incident Commander | Mcgowan |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 3,312 |
|---|---|
| Size | 252,521 acres |
| Percent Contained | 80% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Friday September 20th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved |
Brush, Oaks, and Pine, conifer stands |
| Fire Behavior |
Fire behavior consisted of active flanking, backing, isolated torching, and short runs where slope, wind, and fuels aligned in Divisions K,L, Z, M, N, and P. Interior unburned islands in other areas of the fire continued to actively consume. Consumption of large fuels interior of the containment lines continues. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions |
Resources will continue to patrol, mop-up, and monitor all contained areas of the fire and developed areas near and adjacent to the fire area. Resources will continue to monitor for possible spot fires and take action where safe to do so. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential |
High |
| Terrain Difficulty |
Extreme |
| Remarks |
The Evergreen Lodge and associated employee housing, Mather, O-Shaughnessey, and Aspen Valley continue to be evacuated due to a lack of power and ongoing mitigations of hazards caused by the fire. Significant progress is being made to mitigate these hazards and restore power. Approximately 2,490 structures remain threatened in areas near the fire perimeter to the north, south, and southeast portions of the fire. State Route 120 is opened to Crane Flat and the Big Oak Road is open from Crane Flat to Yosemite Valley.The portion of State Route 120 (Tiago Pass Road) from Crane Flate to White Wolf remains closed. A Forest closure order is in effect for locations within the proximate to the fire area. A public meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday September 8 at Twain Harte, CA. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 22 mph SW |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 80 degrees |
| Humidity | 20% |
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