Telegraph Fire 34,034 acres and is 80% percent contained

Telegraph Fire Updates - Wildland fire - News and Notes -
All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of 2200.
The Telegraph fire has burned 53 square miles
Telegraph (CA-MMU-9779) 08-02-08 0800 - 34,034 acres and is 80% percent contained. All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted as of 2200. Fire suppression repair is ongoing. Significant demobilization of Type I and II Engine Strike Teams has begun.

Telegraph Fire
Taken on Saturday July 26th 14:01.
North Side of Sherlock Creek as it made it's run East towards Telegraph & Sherlock Road.
Credit: Tim Walton - Photo One Productions

Telegraph (CA-MMU-9779) 0008-01-08 08 - Fire is 34,034 acres and is 60% percent contained. The community of Midpines has minimal threat potential and is still under an evacuation advisory. Various roads between Mariposa and Midpines are under an evacuation order. The majority of residents were allowed to re-enter today, with the exception of Sherlock Rd. and parts of the community of Midpines. Hwy 140 will have various restrictions East of Mariposa.
Out of state Type 6 Engines are enroute to the incident. This could potentially free up some Type III Engines.
Containment on the southern portion and continued containment progress on the northern portion of the fire was directly related to the resource availably. Significant demobilization is planned for 8/1. Fire activity may alter this plan. resources continue to strengthen and improve fire lines while also progressing with fire suppression repair.

Telegraph (CA-MMU-9779) 07-31-08 0800 - The fire continues to burn some 33,705 acres of Timber (litter and understory)and
Mixed Conifer with litter and Manzanita underneath. . and s 40 % contained.

North end of the fire is a running surface fire with occasional single tree torching and short range spotting. The remainder of the incident is experiencing moderate fire behavior. Logistical support is now available at Kassabaum Spike Camp.

The incident is now operating in an Area Command (Hodson), with north and south operational areas. ICT 6 will command the north area and ICT 8 will command the south area. The Merced River will be the operational area break.

An evacuation center has been established at the Mariposa Elementary School. Kassabaum Spike Camp is now operational.

Fire suppression repair has begun.

Some residents were allowed to reenter last night.

Telegraph Fire - Other sources:
Fire victims 'ran for our lives' -

MIDPINES, Calif. — When a wall of flames shot up a canyon and forced Steve and Linda Hakanson to run from their home of 20 years they barely had time to grab a few photos, clothes and some of their pets.

"We basically all ran for our lives," said Steve Hakanson, 58, a contractor newspaper distributor.

"I'm looking in my rearview mirror, and all I could see was red," Linda said.

Thursday, they returned to the area for a brief visit along with residents of 150 other homes caught in a wildfire that has burned 53 square miles in and around Yosemite National Park. Ashes were no longer flying about, but the smell of smoke lingered.

They stood in front of the charred remains of their home for 10 minutes. That was all their sheriff's escort would allow because of the danger of a return of the flames.

Full story at USA Today - link

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Great Telegraph Fire slide show from the front lines of the Telegraph fire - Link -

Great Hot Shot photos, crew, equipment, aircraft action pictures, and of course Wild land Fire pictures.

This auto running slide show is set to rock music.

DC-10 dropping on Fremont peak Mount Bullion ridge.
July 26th Bear valley / Highway 49 Fremont Peak
Mt. Bullion ridge Repeater site - Cell phone tower site
Credit: Picture from slide show - Al Gollub - Al Gollub photography- Link