Deadly fire shuts down key route to Yosemite National Park (S.R. 140); Electricity out

[MNtraveler]

NOTE: Electricity off only in certain areas, not the National Park, see below (sorry - headline length is limited)

MARIPOSA, Calif. (AP) - A wildfire that killed a California firefighter grew quickly and forced the closure of a key route into Yosemite National Park as crews contended with sweltering conditions Sunday, authorities said.

The blaze that broke out Friday scorched more than 6 square miles (16 square kilometers) of dry brush along steep, remote hillsides on the park's western edge. It was burning largely out of control, and officials shut off electricity to many areas, including Yosemite Valley, as a safety precaution.

Guests were ordered to leave Yosemite Cedar Lodge on Saturday as flames crept up slopes and the air became thick with smoke.

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Evacuations also were ordered in rural communities just outside the park, and people in nearby lodges and motels were told to be ready to leave if flames approach. A stretch of State Route 140 into Yosemite was closed, and motorists were urged to find alternate routes.

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Deadly fire shuts down key route to Yosemite National Park

https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/n...31996afbc.html

[MNtraveler]

From NPS site today:

Current Conditions

ALERTS

Park Closures

Highway 140 closed outside the park
Highway 140 is closed west of El Portal due to a fire (the highway is open between El Portal and Yosemite Valley). All park entrances are open. If driving from Mariposa/Midpines or Merced, use Highways 49 to 41 to Yosemite.

Caution

Expect smoky conditions

Visitors to Yosemite should expect poor air quality and limited visibility due to the Ferguson Fire. Smoke may be heavy at times, and visitors should be prepared to limit any heavy outdoor activity during the periods of poor air quality.

[MNtraveler]

NPS:
Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Mariposa Grove closing on July 25
Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Mariposa Grove are closed at least July 25–July 29 due to fire operations. South Entrance will be also closed. Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows, including Big Oak Flat and Tioga Pass entrances, and Hetch Hetchy remain open.

[mtnlvr]

The air quality is very poor as far north as Lake Tahoe and Reno, NV. Poor air quality and high temperatures are a warning for limiting outdoor activities. Myself and others I know have gotten sick exercising outdoors.

[TitanMike]

Saw some aerial footage of the Carr fire in N Cal. Looked like a volcanic eruption with the huge smoke cloud reaching high altitudes.


On a side note, the intensity of these fires is a result of our fire prevention and fire fighting practices over the last 50-75 years. Rather than many small fires that merely burned underbrush and dead trees, we've aggressively suppressed natural woodland fires. We've also prevented forest managers from doing controlled burns because city dwellers don't like the smell of smoke.

Only lately have those in charge wakened to the realities of "Nature" but too late in many cases.

And then there are those who move into the woods and think nothing of letting the trees grow right up to their homes and better yet, stack their winter supply of firewood right under their deck.

I grew up in the Pacific NW and actually worked as a wildland fire fighter during my college years. In the early 60's we were fighting to get people to clear space around their houses in the woods. Didn't listen then, don't listen today.

One thing certain, "Nature" will win every time.

[rsdata]

the intensity of these fires is a result of our fire prevention and fire fighting practices over the last 50-75 years. Didn't listen then, don't listen today.

One thing certain, "Nature" will win every time.

What you said!

[myredracer]

California has been hit hard in recent years by wildfires. The current Carr wilfire near Redding is pretty bad.

Week before last, we drove alongside a wildfire burning in the Peachland BC area. Complete trees were on fire about 100' from us and flames were racing up the hillside like fireworks. They had a police escort taking a single lane of traffic on the 4-lane hwy alternating in each direction. The heat was intense and the crackling of the fire was really loud. That was crazy! The immense power of nature is something to behold.

The wildfire season has a long way to go. Let's hope the general public and firefighters everywhere get through the rest of it as best as possible. The fires can happen anywhere, anytime and take off like a firecracker. It's been a relatively dry spring this year (at least in BC) and with the recent high temps., it's a perfect storm for bad fires happening and things could get much worse yet. Things are bad around the world too in some places.

Firefighters to scientists are saying climate change is only going to make wildfires worse over time.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by myredracer

The wildfire season has a long way to go. Let's hope the general public and firefighters everywhere get through the rest of it as best as possible. The fires can happen anywhere, anytime and take off like a firecracker.

One thing most important, houses and personal items can be replaced. When people die THAT's a true loss. I hate to see fire fighters putting their lives in harms way just to protect property.