(AP) — A 400-acre wildfire in Yosemite National Park has prompted the evacuation of about 100 campers, officials said.
Park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said Sunday that the Meadow Fire was located between Little Yosemite Valley and Half Dome in the park's backcountry. Cobb said visitors camp overnight in the valley before climbing the park's iconic Half Dome peak.
The Meadow Fire is burning in the greater Little Yosemite Valley area and is at 400 acres. http://t.co/J876aFiey7 pic.twitter.com/NMTyI5HpAF
— Yosemite National Pk (@YosemiteNPS) September 8, 2014
Cobb said the fire was started several weeks ago by a lightning strike. She said that park firefighters have been monitoring and controlling the burn, which unexpectedly grew to 400 acres on Sunday.
CAL FIRE is assisting the @YosemiteNPS with a wildfire East of Little Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park (Mariposa County) #MeadowFire
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 7, 2014
A separate fireq, named the Bridge Fire, broke out Friday afternoon has prompted an evacuation order for 300 homes near Yosemite National Park remained in effect as firefighters battled a wildfire scorching about 300 acres in Central California.
Cal Fire reported Sunday morning that firefighters had contained about 65 percent of the blaze. The fire broke out Friday afternoon.
#BridgeFire [update] off Hwy 49, 10 miles east of Mariposa (Mariposa County) is now 300 acres 65% contained. http://t.co/23vxG1m29b …
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 7, 2014
An additional 400 homes are being advised to evacuate. No damage has been reported. One minor injury was reported, but Cal Fire didn't provide details.
The area is about 15 miles southwest of Yosemite. A portion of Highway 49 that leads into the park has been closed.
| Bridge Fire Incident Information: | |||
| Last Updated: | September 7, 2014 4:00 pm | ||
| Date/Time Started: | September 5, 2014 2:20 pm | ||
| Administrative Unit: | CAL FIRE is in Unified Command with Mariposa County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments | ||
| County: | Mariposa County | ||
| Location: | Highway 49 at Harris Road, 10 miles east of Mariposa | ||
| Acres Burned - Containment: | 300 Acres 65% Contained | ||
| Structures Threatened: | 700 | ||
| Evacuations: | Effective at 7:00 PM the Evacuation Order is lifted for residents living in the Ponderosa Basin area with the exception of residents along the “dirt” road section of Harris Road. The Evacuation Order for the “dirt” section on Harris Road will remain in effect.
Residents should remain cautious of fire personnel and equipment working in the area. ***************** A fire in Yosemite National Park is visible from Madera, Mariposa and Merced Counties and is not related to the “Bridge Fire”. Information regarding the “Meadow Fire” in Yosemite can be obtained by calling 209-372-0356 |
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| Road Closures : | Highway 49 has reopened. All roads into the community of Ponderosa Basin are closed. | ||
| Cooperating Agencies: | CAL FIRE, USFS, CAL OES, Mariposa County Fire Department, Merced County Fire Department, Madera County Fire Department, Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department, Madera County Sheriff’s Department, PG&E, Red Cross, CHP and Local Government Resources within the Central Valley. | ||
| Total Fire Personnel: | 746 | ||
| Total Fire Engines: | 91 | ||
| Total Fire crews: | 22 | ||
| Total Dozers: | 22 | ||
| Conditions: | Areas outside the control lines will be closely monitored for any new spot fires. The crews will continue mopping up and looking for hot spots within containment lines. Interior portions of the fire will continue to burn and may produce smoke. | ||
| Phone Numbers | (209) 966-4784 (Fire Information) | ||
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