Telegraph Fire Near Yosemite and the Merced River - Update

The Telegraph Fire, which began Friday near the Merced River, has burned close to 30,000 acres and is still approximately 10% contained.  A CAL FIRE Incident Report states that as of 11:30 pm Monday, 25 residences and 27 outbuildings have been destroyed.  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.  It is causing partial and complete closures of Hwy 140 leading to the El Portal/Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park.  For the latest highway conditions visit Caltrans. 

Yosemite National Park is still open.  If you are planning a visit to the park from the West, you can still access the park via the northern entrance, Highway 120, or via the southern route, Highway 41 from Fresno.  Power is still out in most parts of Yosemite Valley, though many places of business are still open.

All O.A.R.S. California whitewater rafting trips are running as scheduled.  Smoke from the fire appears to be staying in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.  There may be some haze in the Tuolumne River canyon, though not enough to affect your trip.  South Fork of the American River and Middle Fork of the American River rafting trips should not be affected at all by smoke - the fire is not located near these rivers.

Fire information in Mariposa County:  (209) 966-4784 or (209) 966-4785
Evacuation Hotline: (209) 966-1133 (recorded)

If you happen to have access to Google Earth, there’s a great detailed map of the fire, and it’s movement, here.  Click on the link at the bottom for the latest MODIS fire detection data and incident information.