Awahanee, CA, July 29, 2018 – Brian Hughes, captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots out of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, died today in the line of duty on the Ferguson Fire. The fatal incident occurred earlier this morning. Hughes, 33, and his crew were operating in a complex area when he was struck by a tree. He was treated on scene, but passed away before he could be transported to a hospital.

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Yosemite National Park announces Yosemite Valley will reopen to all visitors at 4:00 pm on Friday, August 3, 2018. Limited visitor services will be available inside Yosemite Valley, including campgrounds, lodging, and food service operations. Due to continuing firefighting operations along the Wawona Road, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Wawona Road (Highway 41) from the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park to Tunnel View will remain closed until further notice. For information on Yosemite National Park, go to: nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.

Evacuation orders for the Lushmeadows Subdivision have been lifted. These areas remain under a Fire Advisement.

The Ferguson Fire now in its 17th day, started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under unified command between the United States Forest Service, California Interagency Incident Management Team 4, CALFIRE and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Much of the fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with little to no access roads. Mandatory and advisory evacuations are in place in several areas but no homes have been damaged or destroyed.

The fire is now 54,481 acres with 30% containment and 3,766 personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 244 engines,
47 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 92 crews, 5 masticators and 78 dozers. There has been 2 fatalities and 7 injuries to date. 1 structure has been destroyed.