July 2008

TELEGRAPH FIRE
Updated: July 29, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
Location: Telegraph Road and Sherlock Road in the Midpines Area.
Acres Burned: 29,600
Containment: 15% contained
Structures Threatened: 4,000 residences in the communities of Midpines, Briceburg, Mariposa, Greenley Hill, Coulterville, Bear Valley, and Mt. Bullion Camp.
Structures Destroyed: 25 Residences and 27 Outbuildings
Injuries: 12 minor
Mandatory Evacuations:
Various roads between Mariposa, Midpines, Greeley Hill. As of 12 pm the following roads are in the evacuation area: Texas Hill Rd., Dogtown Rd. from Texas Hill Rd. to Schilling Rd., Schilling Rd. to Hwy 49N, Michaeloaks Rd. with road closure beginning at Hwy 49N.
Evacuation Warnings:
Parts of the communities of Mariposa, Midpines, Greeley Hill, Coulterville and Briceburg.
For the latest on evacuations contact (209) 966-1133.
Evacuation Center: Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones St., Mariposa
Cause: Human (Target Shooting)
Estimated Cost: $10.1 million
Resources Committed:
3,458 Personnel (1,766 CAL FIRE)
408 Fire Engines
71 Hand Crew
59 Dozers
30 Watertenders
13 Helicopters
12 Airtankers
Cooperating Agencies:
CAL FIRE, Mariposa County Fire, Mariposa Sheriff’s Department, BLM, USFS, National Park Service, OES, CCC, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Conditions:
The fire is burning in the Merced Drainage, on both sides of the River. The fire is burning with a rapid spread in multiple directions. Accessibility problems due to steep and rocky terrain.

Active fire behavior is being observed in all directions primarily on the south and east flanks.

The fire is causing partial and complete closures of Hwy 140 leading to the main entrance to Yosemite National Park. For the latest highway conditions visit Caltrans.

CAL FIRE Incident Command Team #8 is in command of the fire.

TELEGRAPH FIRE UDATE
Date/Time Started: July 25, 2008, 3:15 pm
Last Update: July 28, 2008, 6:30 am

An evacuation order is in place for the Midpines community. A pre-evacuation advisement was issued for the communities of Midpines and Briceburg. Evacuation warnings are in place for residences in the immediate area of the fire, which include the communities east of North Highway 49 at Mykleoaks Road south to the Highway 140 junction and communities west of Highway 140 from Mariposa north to Briceburg.

Acres burned: 26,130
10% Contained

Evacuation Center:
Mariposa Elementary School
5044 Jones St., Mariposa

Structures Destroyed: 12 Residences and 27 Outbuildings
Structures Threatened: 2,000 residences in the communities of Midpines, Briceburg, Mariposa, Greenley Hill, Coulterville, Bear Valley, and Mt. Bullion Camp

Injuries: 3 minor
Cause of the fire: Human (Target Shooting)
Resources Committed: 2,543 Personnel (1,455 CAL FIRE)
268 Fire Engines
46 Hand Crews
39 Dozers
30 Watertenders
12 Airtankers
12 Helicopters

Conditions: The fire is burning in the Merced River Drainage, on both sides of the river. The fire is burning with a rapid rate of spread in multiple directions. Accessibility problems due to steep and rocky terrain.
Active fire behavior is being observed in all directions primarily on the south and east flanks.
CAL FIRE Incident Command Team #8 is in command of the fire.

Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Mariposa County Fire, Mariposa Sheriffs Department, BLM, USFS, National Park Service, OES, CCC, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Fire Information: (209) 966-4785
Evacuation Hotline: (209) 966-1133 (recorded)

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