Pinecrest, CA…The Donnell Fire continues to present active fire behavior and has burned 600 acres. During morning hours the fire is under an inversion and actively burning in timber and brush, with movement driven primarily by terrain. Once the inversion lifts around noon, the winds in the canyon increase to 25 mph, causing the fire to drastically increase its rate of speed. Aircraft are restricted in the morning due to smoky conditions and the inversion, but also restricted later in the day due to high winds.

The Donnell Fire ignited at 5:49 p.m. Aug. 1, 2018 near Donnell Lake on Highway 108 east of Pinecrest. The fire has burned about 500 acres with active fire behavior and smoke outputs in two-foot high brush, timber litter and understory. The fire is burning to the northeast.

The fire’s objectives includes firefighter and public safety; protection, maintenance and enhancement of natural and cultural resources. Firefighters are working to keep the fire north of the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, south of trail 19E06 and east of Dome Rock.

Cooperating Agencies: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District, Caltrans.

Fire Information: The Tuolumne County Sheriff announced mandatory evacuations for homes on Clarks Fork, the Wagner Housing Track, Forest Service campgrounds and Camp Liahona (Mormon Girls Camp). We advise the public to avoid this area. Steep and rugged terrain would make escape difficult.

Weather conditions: Very dry fuel conditions will persist throughout the area and temperatures in excess of 100 degrees are expected to continue for the next several days. There are red flag warnings for winds. High winds, low relative humidity and a temperature inversion are making use of aircraft resources difficult.

Time/Date updated: 5:45 p.m. Aug. 3, 2018 Donnell Fire Update

Acres Burned: 600, Cause: Under investigation, Date Started: Aug. 1, 2018 5:49 p.m., Percent Contained: 0, Expected Containment: None at this time, Structures Threatened: 30

Resources: Hand Crews: 3, Smokejumpers: 0, Engines: 6, Helicopters: 2, Air Tankers: 0, Other: Water tenders: 2, Total Personnel: 165

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