Up-to-date information on Ferguson Fire evacuations can be found here.
Update Saturday July 21, 1:35 p.m.: (AP) - Authorities say two more California firefighters have been injured while battling a stubborn and growing wildfire in steep terrain west of Yosemite National Park.
Fire spokesman Rich Eagan says the firefighters were hospitalized Friday after suffering back injuries. Both have been released and are expected to fully recover.
A total of four firefighters have been injured and one killed since the blaze broke out July 13.
Update Saturday July 21, 11:17 a.m.: The Merced River and Highway 140 have served as the northern containment lines for the Ferguson Fire since it started last Friday. But spot fires jumped that line yesterday and the new fires have already burned 2,000 acres.
Incident command says the new section of fire is difficult to access because the nearest main road is several miles away. Command is drawing up plans to move equipment from south of the river to the north, but that move will take time. Fire public information officer Jim Mackensen told Capital Public Radio this morning, "Logistically, it's hard to get from this side to the other side.It's a high priority."
There is some good news to report. For several days, bulldozer operators in the Stanislaus National Forest -- in anticipation of a possible breach of the north flank-- have been cutting fire lines off of the old burn scar from the Rim Fire that burned a quarter-million acres in 2013.
Those lines and the burn scar are several miles from the north edge of the Ferguson Fire, but could help contain it at a later date.
The original fire continues to “chunk along,” according to Mackensen, but is still several miles from the border of Yosemite National Park. The park remains open.
Fighting the Ferguson Fire from the air has continued to be a challenge as 17 helicopters are doing what they can, but visibility has still prevented the big air tankers from dropping fire retardant to help crews on the ground.
More than 2800 people are working the fire. Half a dozen neighborhoods are still under evacuation order. Shelters are open at the New Life Christian Fellowship at 5089 Cole Rd in Mariposa and a new shelter has been established at Yosemite Valley Elementary School at 9009 Lost Arrow Rd in Yosemite National Park. Animals can be taken to the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.
The cause of the fire has yet to be identified.
Original Post, Friday July 20: Crews working the Ferguson Fire, which is burning in Mariposa County southwest of Yosemite National Park, haven't had much help from air tankers because visibility has been so poor.
So, bulldozer operators and firefighters wielding large blades with teeth called “mcleods” have to do much of the work.
Ferguson Fire public information officer Brandon Vaccaro says the 7 percent containment number may be somewhat misleading.
"We could potentially put a line all the way around the fire and that doesn't necessarily mean the fire's contained until we bring fire to that line,” he said.
Several evacuation orders are still in place. Highway 140 into the park is closed to the public but the park remains open.
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