Telegraph fire blazes on

Fire near Midpines has torched 25 homes

By Elizabeth Gabriel

(Updated: Friday, August 01, 2008, 6:24 PM)

The Telegraph fire may have ignited last Friday at 3:15 p.m., but it got its start in February. The spring rains were the lowest on record. The things that fuel a fire -- trees, grasses, brush -- never got the moisture they need to help do their own fire fighting. High temperatures and low humidity added to the disaster waiting to happen.

It's not only happening here, of course. Cal Fire incident commander Lyn Rambo told a community meeting at Mariposa County High School Monday night that studies have predicted six major fires in the Sierra Nevada this year.

"A few degrees in temperature and humidity can change a fire from hot to explosive," he said.

The Telegraph fire was certainly explosive on Saturday when it went from 950 acres to 20,000 acres in just eight hours.

The fire was started by target shooters at the end of Mosher Road, said Cal Fire's Mikel Martin. They reported the fire to authorities right away, so they are known, but their names and the specifics of the incident are not being released because of ongoing investigations.

Martin said rumors of an arsonist are untrue.

Hundreds crammed into the auditorium and stood outside listening by speakers hastily rigged up Monday. Representatives from the Mariposa County Sheriff's office, county fire and Cal Fire (which is managing the blaze) made statements and explained the state of the fire then took written questions from the audience. People from Yosemite National Park, PG&E, Sierra Telephone and animal control were there, as was Rep. George Radanovich.

The "burning question," as Mariposa County Fire Chief Jim Wilson put it, remains "Is my house safe?"

He said 25 homes were destroyed as of Monday evening. People who live on streets that were engulfed can call the fire department (209) 966-4784 to find out the fate of their homes. Rooms were set up Monday after the meeting where people could find out.

More information learned at the meeting and from other sources:

Briefings will be conducted each night at 7 p.m. at the high school.

It was announced Highway 140, which leads to the El Portal entrance to Yosemite National Park, would be open only from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. and all traffic would be escorted. Fire equipment parked along the road and helicopters scooping water from the Merced River were the explanations for the closure. How long that situation would last was unknown.

Mail for residents of Midpines is being held at the Mariposa post office.

For people who have been evacuated, Mariposa Shipping Co. will accept packages from UPS, FedEx or OnTrac at no charge. People can call (209) 966-7772 for information.

PG&E representative Nicole Tam got a big hand when she said crews would begin restoring service "as soon as Cal Fire lets us in."

Once it's deemed safe for homeowners to return to their homes only residents of an area will be allowed in and must present proof at control points. Residents can find out about road openings by calling (209) 966-1133. In areas where homes are lost, there will be personnel to accompany homeowners.

Updated information and maps of the fire can be found on several Web sites. Cal Fire's site is www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_others.php and that is where most others get their information. Additional sites include www.yubanet.com, the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau site at www.yosemitethisyear.com, www.goldrushcam.com and www.oakhurstarea.com. Maps will be posted at the fairgrounds and the high school. In addition, www.YosemiteInsider.com is teaming with Wild Pete Web Services and local Oldies Radio AM 1610. (www.am1610kino.com) to offer information.

People under mandatory evacuation orders may be eligible for reimbursement of living expenses and businesses may be eligible for payments because of lost income. California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner advised affected people to check their policies. For more information, call (800) 927-HELP.

Sierra Telephone reported it has installed 60 lines to help firefighters, most of them at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, the staging area for the fire.

Customers who have lost their homes or telephone service can contact Sierra Telephone (209) 966-3636 to set up such solutions as remote call forwarding to a new number (such as a cell phone), voice mail, or a stand-alone informational mailbox.

Firefighters from Greece are on the lines as are groups from Massachusetts and Vermont.

Larger animals are being housed at the county fairgrounds. Household pets have been taken in by animal control and the SPCA shelter.

Cal Fire requests no donations be given to firefighters. Information officer Cheryl Goetz recommended donations to such agencies as the Red Cross, other relief agencies or SPCA.