Washburn Fire now 35% contained, Electra Fire 99% contained

The Washburn Fire in southern Yosemite is now 4,779 acres in size, but firefighters have been able to build a containment line around 35 percent of the fire. 1,623 personnel are on the fire that ignited during the afternoon of July 7 near the Washburn Trail in the Mariposa Grove area of the national park.

A Yosemite official told those at a community meeting the fire was human-caused since there had been no lightning in the area. Exactly how, where, and who is responsible are under investigation.

There has been continued warm and dry weather with active to very active fire behavior. This active behavior will include group torching and runs of intense fire in the crowns of trees on the eastern side of the fire. Expect winds over the incident area to remain light to moderate and mostly terrain driven. Temperatures will reach the low-90s and relative humidity is predicted to be in the 20-30% range.

Firefighters' planned actions are to continue to secure and reinforce the Hwy 41 corridor, Mariposa Grove Rd., and continue to construct handline and dozer line from Wawona Point to the west and north to South Fork of the Merced River. Protect remote cabins within Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest.

The Wawona Road (Highway 41) is closed from the South Entrance to Henness Ridge Road. Yosemite West remains accessible from the northern side of the Wawona road. The Mariposa Grove are closed until further notice.

The Electra Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties is now 99 percent contained and has burned 4,478 acres. Firefighters continue patrolling and mopping up hot spots and smoldering stump holes within the perimeter of the fire. Isolated islands of brush deep within the canyon continue to smolder, keeping firefighters busy in the steep, rugged terrain. Fire suppression repair is ongoing.