Month: July 2008

  • Telegraph Fire over 45% Contained

    The Telegraph Fire is now about 45% contained and burning North and East into the Stanislaus National Forest. Most of the evacuees have been allowed to return to their homes. To date the fire has charred more than 33,705 acres and cost the state more than $10.6 million. The California National Guard joined the fight…

  • Come On Up

    I’ve received a lot of emails over the last few days asking about conditions with the fire and if it’s safe to come up. Right now it’s smoky but not too bad. If you have asthma, difficulty breathing, or accutely sensitive to smoke and pollution you may want to limit your time outside or head…

  • Telegraph Fire Moving North – 40% Contained

    The Telegraph Fire has switched direction and is moving north into the Stanislaus National Forest tonight even as evacuees are being allowed back into their homes in some areas. The fire is now 40% contained and has so far destroyed about 25 homes and out buildings. Thankfully most of the injuries sustained have been minor…

  • Fire Pics up

    Telegraph Fire. More later, I’m safe.

  • Can I get to Yosemite with the Fire?

    A reader writes in: “Is it possible for tourists to reach Yosemite View Lodge? We are looking for more infos about the fire situation…It’s not advisable for tourists to reach Yosemite?” You can still get to Yosemite View Lodge. You’ll need to take 41 (from Fresno or Mariposa via Oakhurst) or 120 (from San Francisco…

  • Highway 140 Closed and an Alternate Route into Yosemite

    Highway 140 into Yosemite is now closed in both directions. Westbound (leaving) traffic is being stopped at Cedar Lodge in El Portal and turned around. If you had planned on taking 140 into the park turn east on Highway 49 and continue on to Oakhurst. In Oakhurst turn left at the light (Highway 41) and…

  • Telegraph Fire Causes Power Outages and Threatens Homes

    The Telegraph fire has continued to rage growing from 1000 acres to 16,000 acres and caused officials to cut power to Yosemite Valley. The fire threatens about 2,000 homes in Midpines, Mariposa, Greeley Hill, Coulterville, Bear Valley, Mount Bullion and has forced evacuation of the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at Briceburg along Highway 140…

  • Telegraph Fire Raging Out of Control

    The Telegraph Fire above Mariposa is continuing to rage out of control. Mariposa Gazette: “All residents along Mt. Bullion Ridge Road have been evacuated as they are directly in the fire’s advance. Residents along Colorado, East Whitlock, West Whitlock, Moser, and Sherlock Road are under an evacuation order. Additional resources have been requested from all…

  • New Fire Just Outside Yosemite

    Another fire has popped up in the extremely dry Sierra just outside Yosemite and Mariposa in the Merced River Canyon. This one named the “Telegraph Fire” has already jumped to 1000 acres in size. Mariposa Gazette: “A wildland fire now called the Telegraph Fire has grown to over 1,000 on both side of the Merced…

  • Got a product? Let our readers try it out

    I’ve received a couple of emails over the past few days from companies asking if I’d be interested in testing their products and writing up a review. The answer is yes, I will test your products and I’ll even give them out to interested readers who are willing to give them a try. If you’ve…