Ferguson Fire jumps Highway 41, after mandatory evacuation of Yosemite Valley

The Ferguson Fire jumped Highway 41 on Friday, headed in the direction of Badger Pass, as firefighters continue their battle to bring the 73,560 acre blaze under control.

Natasha Fouts-Noble, spokesperson for Cal Fire, confirmed the fire jumped the highway, but could not give a precise location.

Fouts-Noble said the fire has been burning inside Yosemite National Park for a few days, and fire crews have burned defensively along Wawona Road, also known as Highway 41, inside the park to try to contain the fire.

Fouts-Noble said the fire’s latest shift is not proving to be an imminent danger so far for Badger Pass Ski Area, where firefighters and other camp workers are staged in a satellite base camp.

The blaze burned 73,560 acres by Friday morning and remained only 41 percent contained as the closure of Yosemite Valley remained in effect through Aug. 5, authorities reported.

The fire, burning near Yosemite, consumed 4,120 acres overnight.

Residents of Yosemite Valley were told they had to evacuate by noon Friday. Officials said Yosemite Valley is “NOT THREATENED by the fire at this time, but a mandatory evacuation has been issued due to multiple hazards along El Portal Road, Big Oak Flat Road, and Wawona Road, as well as power outages in Yosemite Valley.”

A Red Cross shelter is located at New Life Christian Fellowship, 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa.

There are 2,845 firefighters and support personnel fighting the blaze and 14 helicopters 136 engines and 66 bulldozers have also been thrown into the battle.

Big Oak Flat Road, (Highway 120) remains closed between Crane Flat and the Big Oak Flat entrance of Yosemite National Park to facilitate firefighting efforts. The only entrance to the park is through Lee Vining to Crane Flat.

Warmer and drier conditions continue, increasing fire activity, the authorities reported.

There will be a community meeting Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Mountain Christian Center, 40299 Highway 49 in Oakhurst to update residents about the fire.

This story was originally published August 3, 2018 at 7:16 AM.