El Portal Fire Update #2

July 28, 2014 Posted by: Yosemite Fire Information

As you are aware, we are experiencing a wildland fire that started Saturday in the Old El Portal region. This fire has been fast moving and there has been incredible firefighting work done to protect employees, residents and park resources. The fire team made significant progress on the fire yesterday. As with any incident in Yosemite National Park, firefighter and public safety is our number one priority. We appreciate everyone’s assistance and concern with this priority. 

Incident website    

General El Portal Fire Information

• At 6:00 PM yesterday, a Type 1 Fire Management Team, from Southern California, was given command of this fire. The fire is on both NPS lands and Stanislaus National Forest. Joint Unified Command has been established.
• The fire is currently 2,632 acres and 5% contained.
• The El Portal fire began in the community of El Portal at approximately 3:15 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2014.

Resources Assigned

• 585 Fire Personnel 
• 4 Hot Shot Crews, 2 Dozers, 5 Type 3 (Wildland Engine) Strike Teams 
• Aircraft – fixed winged tankers and helicopters are being used during daylight hours. Those resources include 8 tankers, 6 helicopters and a DC10 (VLAT – or Very Large Air Tanker).

Evacuations and Structure Threat

• Evacuations are still in effect for Foresta and Old El Portal. 
• Structures are threatened and there has been one structure lost in Foresta. Strike teams have been stationed at residences to protect these facilities at this time.

Campgrounds and Roads Affected

• Crane Flat and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds are closed. 
• Bridalveil Campground is being used for fire operations and is therefore closed. 
• The Big Oak Flat Road is closed between Crane Flat south to Highway 140. This is a hard closure until further notice for the public, employees and residents.

For more information: 

Future fire updates for the El Portal Fire will be provided by the Type 1 Incident Management Team, working closely with park management. Fire information call center: 209/372-0327 or 209/372-0328.

Incident website

PDF of map shown below. [1.57 MB PDF]