Telegraph Fire - A Wildfire Near Yosemite and the Merced River

A fire started burning in a steep, rocky stretch of the Merced River canyon on Friday afternoon.  (The O.A.R.S. Merced River whitewater rafting season wrapped up about a month ago - the Merced River water flow is dependent on Sierra snow melt – so no O.A.R.S. trips are affected.)  Roads into Yosemite remain open at this time. 

Residents of Midpines, a community located about 12 miles from Yosemite National Park, have been evacuated.  Evacuation warnings are in place for residences in the immediate area of the fire – Mariposa, Coulterville and Greeley Hill.   Approximately 26,000 acres have burned as of Monday morning, and the fire may only be 10% contained

Here are some links to get the most current information about the “Telegraph Fire:

http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_others.php
http://www.mariposagazette.com/
http://www.mymotherlode.com/
http://calfire.blogspot.com/

Target shooters are being blamed for starting the fire. 

The following agencies are cooperating in their battle to control the fire:  CAL FIRE, Mariposa County Fire, Mariposa Sheriffs Department, BLM, USFS, National Park Service, OES, CCC, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  Involved in the Telegraph Fire operation are a total of 2,543 personnel and 268 fire engines, 46 hand crews, 39 dozers, 30 watertenders, 12 airtankers and 12 helicopters.