Ferguson Fire 100% contained; firefighters gaining control on most others

There are still several fires burning in California but firefighters have gained the upper hand on many of them.

Ferguson Fire: The Ferguson Fire is now at 96,901 acres with 100 percent containment and 881 personnel currently engaged on the fire. During the most critical time in the fire, over 3,000 people were assigned to the incident from all over the world. There have been 2 fatalities and 19 injuries. 10 structures have been destroyed.

All entrances to Yosemite National Park are open except for Wawona Road. Highways 120 and 140 are fully open. Highway 41 (Wawona Road) is closed to the public between Yosemite West and the Wawona Tunnel (open to residents, contractors, and those with reservations only), but is scheduled to open Friday, August 24th at 8 a.m. Glacier Point Road remains closed, along with the Bridalveil Creek Campground.

Donnell Fire: This fire, burning south of Highway 4 at Donnell Lake is in its 23rd day. It has burned 35,288 acres and is 62 percent contained.

Crews continue to guide the fire into natural barriers northeast of Spicer Reservoir. There is some concern that the fire may spread and impact the Pacific Coast Trail if winds continue to increase fire activity above Disaster and Boulder creek drainages in upper Clarks Fork.

Today, the Tuolumne County Division of Environmental Health begins hazardous material screening of the damaged structures in an effort to expedite safe access for cabin owners. When all hazards are mitigated and the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office lifts the mandatory evacuation, the U.S. Forest Service will begin contacting permit holders to grant access to their cabins.

Mendocino Complex: The biggest fire in the State's history continues to burn and send smoke to the Sierra and Western Nevada. It has now consumed 410,482 acres and is 74 percent contained. Over 3,400 firefighters are working at the fire. There has been one firefighter fatality, four injuries, 157 homes burned with 120 "other" buildings.

There are approximately 52 miles of uncontrolled fire edge, 0.3 miles of planned handline and 8.3 miles of planned dozerline to construct and improve on the Ranch Fire in Branches I & II. Additionally, over 20 miles of control line needs to be burned.

Carr Fire: The Carr Fire is now at 93 percent containment after burning 229,651 acres. 1,079 residences, 22 commercial structures, 503 outbuildings destroyed - 190 residences, 26 commercial structures, and 61 outbuildings damaged. Four firefighters have died in this fire.

1,100 firefighters remain at the scene. Firefighters continue to mop and improve the containment lines while smoke from the nearby Hirz Fire continues to linger over the Carr Fire. State Route 299 is open to the public in both directions however, the public is asked to drive safely as fire crews and emergency personnel
are still working in the area.

Hirz Fire: The fire has burned 19,100 acres and is 17 percent contained. Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials have implemented an area closure for National Forest System lands on the Shasta Lake Ranger District in associate with the Hirz Fire as noted in the closure order and map linked below. This order is effective today, August 22 until December 31st to provide for public and firefighter safety.

This closure is necessary to reduce the risk to the public and firefighting personnel on National Forest System land within the closure area. The Hirz Fire is burning northwest of the McCloud River Arm of Shasta Lake. This area is unsafe for public entry due to fire suppression activities, including firefighting aircraft flying low over and dipping into the lake, and wildfire activities within the area. Owners or lessees of land or residents within the closure area are exempt from this order.

For information on all other California fires:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov