There is a very large fire burning on both sides of the Merced River Canyon near the town of Midpines on Hwy 140. Evacuations have been ordered and other localities have been warned that evacuation may be necessary. The fire is now at 16,000 Ac. + and has a rapid rate of spread in heavy fuels. As of this morning, power has been cut to Yosemite Valley, and visibility is very poor due to smoke.
Preston, news tonight was not good. They have lost some homes already and are evacuating folks in that area. The state has had more fires this year to date then I can ever recall.
The fire is now at 18,000 Ac. and 15 structures have been destroyed in Midpines. The fire is still at 0% containment. This fire is burning in very steep terrain in heavy fuels. Flame lengths in excess of 100 feet have been observed. Power in Yosemite is being supplied by generators. No injuries have been reported. Hwy 140 is open, but that could change at any time.
If any of you are planning a trip to Yosemite, it may be better to go at a later time, given the current conditions.
Posted by David Senesac on July 29, 2008 at 10:20 PM
This is easily the worst wildfire season we've ever had. Scary to think what may happen by mid September during Santa Ana conditions. Its has and will be a frustrating summer for photographers working the High Sierra. The more flexibility one has while monitoring some of our modern online weather sites, the more one may get some productive time in.
This fire has burned through a remote BLM campground on the Merced River, McCabe Flats Camground, that I have used during some of my spring wildflower visits. Pleasantly pretty and green at that time of year but otherwise a jungle of tinder dry foothill chaparral. I really have to thank all the California fire crews that have been on continuous battles this season. Some of them have to be feeling rather miserable by now. Thanks firefighters!
A friend of mine just returned from several days backpacking in the Ritter Range. A trip I almost joined him on. However this Telegraph Fire exploded just after he left and then wasted a couple days work when smoke moved more easterly. A couple of us are close to heading out for another backpack well east near the Sierra Crest and a bit south of the fire center at Midpines. Current jetstream forecasts show high pressure parked over the southwest in northern Arizona that is supposed to hold with a general southwest to northeast upper air flow that we are hoping will not turn easterly. I can see some smoke above the northern San Joaquin Valley on the MODIS satelite image southwest of the fire that could make for dimmed late alpenglow to the west.
So in the near term, we are gambling we will get our trip in without smoky skies though I don't expect the usual high altitude crystal clarity. Even a little smoke or haze in the air will have me more likely fishing instead of grabbing the view camera and wasting pricy film. Always painful to lug the huge camera weight up thousands of feet two days and more in from a trailhead only to wake up on mornings to see smoke in the air. And skies are more likely to be sunny than even partly cloudy as the monsoon airmass that might for more interesting skies is currently well south at the southern Arizona border. Totally sunny conditions are of course more challenging for wider landscapes.
Mariposa, CA -- According to CAL Fire officials firefighters have reached a 60 percent containment figure for the 34,034 acre (53 square mile) Telegraph Fire.
Sierra National Forest Public Information Officer Sue Exline states that only two miles of line needs to be laid before the fire is 100 percent contained.
The active fire is currently burning north of the Briceburg area in Jenkins Hill and the Soapstone Ridge area. The fire has moved into the Stanislaus National Forest.
Making progress! The smoke is much reduced, but given the terrain and the amount of fuel still burning within containment lines, it will still be pumping out smoke for several more days.
No estimate has been given for full containment, so this fire still potential to blow up. If you are going to the area be sure to pay attention to the fire authorities.
Discussion
5 repliesThere is a very large fire burning on both sides of the Merced River Canyon near the town of Midpines on Hwy 140. Evacuations have been ordered and other localities have been warned that evacuation may be necessary. The fire is now at 16,000 Ac. + and has a rapid rate of spread in heavy fuels. As of this morning, power has been cut to Yosemite Valley, and visibility is very poor due to smoke.
Be safe out there!
-P
The fire is now at 18,000 Ac. and 15 structures have been destroyed in Midpines. The fire is still at 0% containment. This fire is burning in very steep terrain in heavy fuels. Flame lengths in excess of 100 feet have been observed. Power in Yosemite is being supplied by generators. No injuries have been reported. Hwy 140 is open, but that could change at any time.
If any of you are planning a trip to Yosemite, it may be better to go at a later time, given the current conditions.
-P
Fire Update-Sonora, CA
Not Good.
-PB
This fire has burned through a remote BLM campground on the Merced River, McCabe Flats Camground, that I have used during some of my spring wildflower visits. Pleasantly pretty and green at that time of year but otherwise a jungle of tinder dry foothill chaparral. I really have to thank all the California fire crews that have been on continuous battles this season. Some of them have to be feeling rather miserable by now. Thanks firefighters!
A friend of mine just returned from several days backpacking in the Ritter Range. A trip I almost joined him on. However this Telegraph Fire exploded just after he left and then wasted a couple days work when smoke moved more easterly. A couple of us are close to heading out for another backpack well east near the Sierra Crest and a bit south of the fire center at Midpines. Current jetstream forecasts show high pressure parked over the southwest in northern Arizona that is supposed to hold with a general southwest to northeast upper air flow that we are hoping will not turn easterly. I can see some smoke above the northern San Joaquin Valley on the MODIS satelite image southwest of the fire that could make for dimmed late alpenglow to the west.
So in the near term, we are gambling we will get our trip in without smoky skies though I don't expect the usual high altitude crystal clarity. Even a little smoke or haze in the air will have me more likely fishing instead of grabbing the view camera and wasting pricy film. Always painful to lug the huge camera weight up thousands of feet two days and more in from a trailhead only to wake up on mornings to see smoke in the air. And skies are more likely to be sunny than even partly cloudy as the monsoon airmass that might for more interesting skies is currently well south at the southern Arizona border. Totally sunny conditions are of course more challenging for wider landscapes.
Mariposa, CA -- According to CAL Fire officials firefighters have reached a 60 percent containment figure for the 34,034 acre (53 square mile) Telegraph Fire.
Sierra National Forest Public Information Officer Sue Exline states that only two miles of line needs to be laid before the fire is 100 percent contained.
The active fire is currently burning north of the Briceburg area in Jenkins Hill and the Soapstone Ridge area. The fire has moved into the Stanislaus National Forest.
Making progress! The smoke is much reduced, but given the terrain and the amount of fuel still burning within containment lines, it will still be pumping out smoke for several more days.
No estimate has been given for full containment, so this fire still potential to blow up. If you are going to the area be sure to pay attention to the fire authorities.
-P