Fire Closes Highway 120, North Entrance of Yosemite

The Rim Fire has already burned 800 acres and continues to burn unchecked as it makes it’s way south, prompting the closure of Highway 120 from Groveland to Yosemite and evacuations of park guests, local businesses and homes.

The fire, which was discovered by a spotter plane Saturday, began burning along the south side of the Clavey River Canyon. As winds picked up the fire gained momentum up Jawbone Ridge before jumping the Clavey and Tuolumne rivers and working its way uphill to Highway 120 and the Groveland Ranger Station just east of Ferretti Road.

Areas under evacuation orders included the San Jose Family Camp, Yosemite Riverside Inn, Spinning Wheel Ranch and areas near Buck Meadows, according to the Forest Service.

If you’re headed up that way it’s advised you call and confirm your lodging reservations or make alternate plans. The air is very smokey and hard to breathe. If you have a respiratory condition or are sensitive to bad air you’re being warned to stay away as conditions aren’t likely to improve anytime soon.

An alternate route into Yosemite is available by following Highway 49 to Mariposa and entering through the Highway 140 entrance.

To keep up with current road conditions please visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi.

Photo courtesy GoldrushCam.com