Motor IC - Wildfire Near Yosemite National Park 4,755 acres, 35% contained

Motor Incident -Vehicle Fire into Vegetation - South Central Sierra Type II Team - Mariposa County
Update: 8-29 0700 - Motor; Mariposa County 4,755 acres, 35% contained, Fire activity continues on the east flank of the fire. Isolated hot spots and areas of interior burnout were observed on the Divisions north of the Merced river. Fire south of the Merced showed little activity. Crews made good progress through the night.
Update: The fire has burned approximately 4,626 acres and is 35% contained.
Approximately 849 firefighters are on scene.
Air tankers and helicopters will continue to work the fire.
This fire is terrain driven (very steep slopes) and has burned to the top of the ridges above the Merced River on both the south and north sides.
Temperatures are very hot – 108 to 110 degrees in El Portal.
The most active portion of the fire is to the north side of the Merced River on steep slopes.
Crews in the El Portal area are utilizing old fire lines from previous fires (i.e. Woodlot, Big Meadow).
Significant progress was made on containing the south side of the fire.
Update – August 28, 2011 “Motor Fire” – #WildlandFire
4,755 acres, 35% contained, Fire activity continues on the east flank of the fire. Isolated hot spots and areas of interior burnout were observed on the Divisions north of the Merced river. Fire south of the Merced showed little activity. Crews made good progress through the night.


Update:  1:30PM, August 28: The South Central Sierra Type II Team took over command of the fire at 18:00 on August 26. This team includes support and members from many agencies.

The fire moved into the Moss Creek drainage, prompting the evacuation of Rancheria Flat, August 27, 2011.
The community of old EP Portal has been advised to be ready to evacuate.

Evacuations and Road Closures: Rancheria Flat, Incline RD, Cedar Lodge and local campgrounds were evacuated. Old El Portal and Yosemite West are advised to prepare for evacuations. Residents should be prepared to leave with only a few minutes notice. Highway 140, from El Portal RD west to the Bug Hostel in Midpines is closed. This closure may fluctuate as the fire progresses. There is no estimation as to when Hwy 140 will re-open. Fire information officers are present in each of the most affected communites to provide the most current fire information. All interested apathies are receiving this fire update, including hotels, concessionareis, park partners and Gateway communities.
Motor Fire Incident Information: (37.071 x 119 52.875; Sierra National Forest, Mariposa County): The Motor Fire began approximately 12:30 PM, August 25. It was started by a vehicle fire (recreational vehicle) on Hwy 140, along the Merced River and near Cedar Lodge. 

Fire Info:

• Date/Time Started: 12:30 PM, August 25
• Administrative Unit: South Central Sierra Type II Team
  
• County: Mariposa
• Location: Sierra & Stanislaus National Forest’s centered on Highway 140
  
• GPS: 37.071 x 119 52.875 
  
• IA Notes: Vehicle Fire into the vegetation, 20 acres - Slow ROS
• Current Acres Burned: 4,755 acres, 35% contained 
  
• ROS:  Medium
• Containment:  35%
• Conditions:  The fire is moving in an eastward direction. The fire is burning in steep terrain with limited access.
  
• Structure Threats: 70 residences and 2 commercial buildings threatened.
  
• Special Hazards: Access issues and terrain. Power lines in area.
  
• Evacuations:  Yes,
• Cause:  Vehicle Fire
  
• Cooperating Agencies: USFS, CAL FIRE
  
• Resources:
• Injuries:  
• Air Resources: 
  
• Comms:  
• Injuries:  
• More Info: A Information center is open in Yosemite with fire information hotlines” staffed and operational 24 hrs: (209) 372-0327 or 372-0329. These lines are extremely busy, and please be patient. Please do not call fire dispatch.
  The employee hotline is also being updated regularly; 379-1186.
  More information can be found at: http://inciweb.org/incident/2520/
  For Air Quality Information: http://www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?nid=89
• Webcam: Turtleback web cam: http://ssgic.cr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/camHist11.pl?camera=turtleback_2&lastFrame=true  http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/L/hpwren-iqeye13.jpg
• RR Link: 
• Weather: 
• Agency Link: 

California Fire News 2011