Yosemite National Park - Stanislaus National Forest

Thursday, September 3, 2009 – 7:00pm

Fire Information
Phone (209) 372-0327 or 372-0669
Media Inquiries– (209) 372-0248 or 372-0529
Big Meadow Fire Website: www.inciweb.org/incident/1869/

Current Situation: Firefighters made significant progress yesterday on the northwest flank of the fire near Crane Flat. Burning operations were successful in stopping the forward progress of the fire along Tioga Road and towards Crane Flat Campground. Today, firefighters will continue to construct and hold the line near Tamarack Flat Campground Road. On the southern end of the fire, efforts are underway to return roads, trails and fire lines to their natural condition.

Special Announcements: The Big Oak Flat Road is closed to through traffic at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station to the junction of the El Portal Road. In addition, the Tioga Road is closed to through traffic from White Wolf to the Crane Flat Gas Station. All road closures will remain in effect through Labor Day Weekend. Hodgdon Meadow Campground remains accessible to visitors. Visitors on the east side of the park can still access Tuolumne Meadows, Olmsted Point, and White Wolf.

If you are attending the Strawberry Festival at Camp Mather this weekend please use the Evergreen Road. The Cherry Oil Road is closed through Monday due to traffic accessing fire camp at Drew Meadow.

Fire Status

• Fire Name: Big Meadow
• Geographic Location: Foresta, CA
• Acres Burned: 7,240 acres (11.3 square miles)
• Start Date: 8/26/2009
• Percent Contained: 70 percent
• Expected Containment Date: September 10, 2009
• Cause: Escaped Prescribed Fire
• Injuries: 5, minor
• Structures Threatened: 50 residences, 1 commercial, 25 outbuildings
• Structures Destroyed: 0

Resources

• Crews: 32
• Engines: 94
• Helicopters: 4
• Air Tankers: 6
• Dozers: 8
• Water Tenders: 19
• Total Personnel Assigned: 1,282
• Estimated Cost: $10.8 million

Public Meeting: A fire update meeting is scheduled for 6:30pm tonight (September 3rd) at Tenaya Elementary School, 19177 Hwy 120 in Groveland.

Evacuations: The community of Foresta.

Road Closures: The Big Oak Flat Road from Crane Flat Gas Station to the intersection of El Portal Road and Big Oak Flat Road. The Tioga Road from Big Oak Flat Road to White Wolf. Road closure information is available by calling 209-372-0200.

Campground and Trail Closures: Tamarack and Crane Flat Campgrounds are closed. Trails closures include: Old Big Oak Flat Trailhead to El Capitan, Rockslides to El Capitan, Tamarack Creek to El Capitan.

Fire Information: Fire information phone lines are staffed from 6am until 9pm.

Phone numbers are: 209-372-0327 and 209-372-0669.

Cooperating Agencies: US Forest Service, Mariposa County Sheriff, Mariposa County Fire, CAL FIRE, CHP, American Red Cross, Delaware North Parks and Resort at Yosemite and PG&E.