A large, fast moving fire being called the Railroad Fire, is burning this morning just south of the Yosemite National Park border near the resort communities of Fish Camp and Sugar Pine and has forced the mandatory evacuation of the area and Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite.
The Railroad Fire started yesterday, August 29, 2017 at around 12:30 PM, West of Highway 41, near the community of Sugar Pine and the historic Sugar Pine Railroad.
The fire, which is only 5% contained, has scorched about 1000 acres of the Sierra National Forest and has high potential for growth with plentiful fuels and an expectation of hot, dry weather for at least another week.
The fire was first reported near Highway 41 and Mill Canyon Road in Fish Camp, near Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Sugar Pine and Fish Camp were quickly evacuated and Highway 41 shut down. As a precaution Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite National Park was also evacuated.
Air attack teams are being diverted from the South Fork Fire and Empire Fire to drop retardant and slow the growth potential of this new fire. Currently 26 Fire Engines, 7 Hand Crews, 3 Helicopters, 10 Air Tankers and 350 personnel are working the fire.
If you have reservations for the upcoming Labor Day weekend at Tenaya Lodge or in the Fish Camp or Sugar Pine area, please be sure to call before you travel to make sure your accommodation is not within the affected area. Highway 41 is closed from Westphal to the South entrance to Yosemite National Park. If you are staying in Oakhurst or coming from Fresno/Madera and the South, you will need to use Highway 49 from Oakhurst to Mariposa and then take Highway 140 to enter the National Park.
Those with Tenaya Lodge reservations are being urged to call 877-404-3746.
Photo courtesy of Madera County Sheriff’s Department.