Awahanee, CA, August 13, 2018- The Ferguson Fire is now 96,457 acres with 86% containment and 1,020 personnel that are currently engaged on the fire which include 69 engines, 6 water tenders, 5 helicopters, 16 crews, 2 masticator and 14 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 19 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed. The Ferguson Fire is now the largest fire in the Sierra National Forest’s History. This fire is being managed as a full suppression fire.

Wawona and Mariposa Grove will re-open today, August 13, at 9:00 AM. Yosemite Valley will be open to visitors on Tuesday, August 14 at 9:00 AM. Use extreme caution while driving, as firefighters are still working in the area.

The Ferguson Fire is now in its 32nd day; the incident started July 13 on the Sierra National Forest and is managed under the command of California Interagency Incident Management Team 3.

Firing operations were completed yesterday to Elephant Rock. (Elephant Rock is a formation approximately one and one half mile west of Tunnel View). Work remains to reinforce containment lines to ensure the fire does not spread into Yosemite Valley. Sprinkler systems are active at the base of Elephant Rock to prevent the fire from spotting beyond the established hand line.

Today, hand crews and engines are patrolling Wawona Road along the burnout operation, watching for spot fires outside the containment lines. These spot fires continue to be a threat in holding the fire perimeter. Helicopters have been effective in helping crews on the ground extinguish detected spot fires.

Progress has been made in extinguishing hotspots on the service road leading to Badger Pass and containment increased along this road, yesterday. Today, firefighter will be reinforcing the hand line from Badger Pass northwest to Wawona Road.

Elsewhere on the fire, crews are backhauling, or bringing back to camp, equipment, tools and hose that was used in the suppression efforts, but now are no longer needed. Over 200 miles of hose was used on the Ferguson fire and used hose must be brought back to camp and rehabilitated to use on the next fire.

UPDATE: Morning Update

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