Jeff Munson, Carson Now and Paula Peterson
9:30 a.m. update 6/26: Firefighters have gained some control of the Marina Fire burning near Mono Lake and the town of Lee Vining. The 758 acre fire is 30 percent contained.
Highway 395 is closed at the town of Lee Vining on the south at the turnoff for Hawthorne, NV (Highway 167) on the north. However, California Highway Patrol is conducting one-way traffic escorts as conditions allow. Mono County Sheriff and Caltrans District 9 have worked tirelessly with CHP to implement this escort.
The Tioga Lodge and two additional residences have been evacuated. Lee Vining and Mono City are under an evacuation advisory.
The human caused wildfire started on June 24 at about 5:30 a.m.
9:15 a.m. update 6/25: The Marina Fire remains at 819 acres this morning and is 5% contained. The fire is located north of Lee Vining and west of Highway 395 and is burning in pinyon and brush. The fire spotted across Highway 395 yesterday south of Mono City pushed by strong down canyon winds.
Crews worked overnight to secure firelines near the communities and the highway, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and calm winds that decreased fire behavior.
Seven hand crews, 23 engines, six helicopters, two fixed wing aircraft, and two dozers are assigned to the fire.
Highway 395 is closed at the town of Lee Vining on the south at the turnoff for Hawthorne, NV (Highway 167) on the north. There is no estimated time for the highway to re-open at this time. The Tioga Lodge and two additional residences have been evacuated. Lee Vining and Mono City are under an evacuation advisory.
8:00 a.m. update 6/25: The Marina Fire in Mono County has burned 600 acres and is 5 percent contained. The human caused fire is burning pinyon and brush along Hwy 395 which remains closed at the town of Lee Vining. The Tioga Lodge and two additional residences have been evacuated. Lee Vining and Mono City are under an evacuation advisory.
Fire officials are expected to update more of the information this morning.
7:00 p.m. update: The Mono County Sheriff’s Office gave a Marina Fire Evening Update: 395 remains closed from Lee Vining north to Highway 167. No evacuations as of yet for the community of Lee Vining, but they have asked everyone in the area to please remain prepared. The fire did spot across Highway 395 toward Mono Lake, and residents on the west shore were advised to evacuate, including the Mono Inn.
The amount of acres burned remains at 350.
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A brush fire erupted Friday morning in Mono County, Calif., closing a stretch of Highway 395. Fire crews from around the region have been sent to the Marina Fire, located about one mile north of Lee Vining.
The highway is closed from the north junction of State Route 120 to four miles south of the Junction of State Route 167.
As of 2:11 p.m., named the Marina Fire, it is now estimated to have burned 350 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Tioga Lodge has been evacuated and the town of Lee Vining is under an evacuation advisory. Several powerlines have been de-energized for firefighter safety.
To get around the closed area:
Southbound US Hwy 395 in Mono County: Take State Route 167 which turns into Nevada 359 to the junction of US Hwy 95. Go south on US Hwy 95 to State Route 360. At the junction of US Hwy 6 go south to US Hwy 395.
Northbound US Hwy 395 Mono County: Take State Route 120 East towards Benton. At US Hwy 6 go north to Nevada State Route 360, and north of US Hwy 95 to the junction of State Route 359. Go West on SR 359 to State Route 167 which will take you back to US Hwy. 395.