Awahanee, CA, August 3, 2018 – On Sunday, July 29, 2018, Brian Hughes, 33, Captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots lost his life battling the Ferguson Fire on the Sierra National Forest. An official memorial website has been established in honor of Captain Hughes. There, the public can learn about him, upcoming memorial services, and where to send condolence letters or contributions. The site also includes a section for visitor-submitted memories and condolences. more…

The Ferguson Fire is now in its 22nd day; the incident started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under unified command between the U.S. Forest Service, California Interagency Incident Management Team 3, and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. CAL FIRE exited Unified Command at 6 a.m. Aug. 2 because of reduced threats to state and private lands. CAL FIRE remains committed to the Ferguson Incident as an assisting agency.

The fire is now 73,560 acres with 41% containment and 2,845 personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 136 engines, 50 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 66 crews, 5 masticators and 38 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 11 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed.

Firefighters worked throughout the night to contain a couple of spot fires outside Wawona as they made progress toward full suppression of the Ferguson Fire.

The high pressure system above the fire is weakening which will result in warmer and drier conditions. With lower wind speeds and the inversion layer forecasted to lift by midday, residents will likely see taller smoke columns than they are used to.

If community members see new fire activity, they are to call 911, not the fire information line.

Natural resource specialists have begun surveying the western side of the fire today to assess areas requiring repair and mitigation. Firefighters, in conjunction with resource advisors, play an important role in helping the landscape recover from containment lines and other suppression tactics.

Yosemite National Park announces Yosemite Valley, Wawona Road, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Hetch Hetchy, and other areas will remain closed to all visitors through Sunday, August 5, 2018 due to continued unhealthy smoke impacts and ongoing firefighting operations. For information on Yosemite National Park, go to: nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200. Road Closure map and

The public is reminded to stay vigilant of current fire condition