Not all firefighters carry a hose or shovel. The adrenaline junkies who steer heavy bulldozers across steep ridges face serious hazards, from smoke and flames but also from unsteady dirt and steep terrain that can flip them over. The deaths of two bulldozer operators battling California wildfires in July highlighted...
Wildfire Extends Yosemite Valley Closure to 'At Least Sunday'
National Park officials are extending the closure of the scenic Yosemite Valley and other areas due to heavy smoke from the massive Ferguson Fire. The Yosemite Valley, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias and other park areas closed July 25 and were tentatively scheduled to reopen at 4 p.m. Friday....
ABC30: Ferguson Fire Smoke Will Force Yosemite Valley Closure
The more than 3,300 personnel battling the deadly Ferguson Fire west of Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County are starting to get a bigger handle on the 37,000-acre blaze, which is in its 12th day. The fire's commanders reported 25% containment Tuesday morning. The fire is burning in very rough...
Ferguson Fire Grows To 53 Square Miles, Is 13% Contained
MARIPOSA — Firefighters battling the huge Ferguson Fire in the Sierra Nevada will face increasingly difficult conditions this week as a heat wave sets in. Officials say the wildfire has scorched nearly 53 square miles of timber and brush west of Yosemite National Park, and 13 percent of its perimeter...
2,700 Firefighters Battle Growing Ferguson Fire Near Yosemite
MARIPOSA — A wildfire in the Sierra Nevada just west of Yosemite National Park expanded to nearly 36 square miles Friday. More than 2,700 firefighters aided by a fleet of helicopters were battling the Ferguson Fire but only 7 percent of its perimeter was contained. Ground crews dealt with high...
Storms, Dead Trees Could Hinder Firefighting Near Yosemite
MARIPOSA — A deadly forest fire kept spreading Wednesday west of Yosemite National Park, and erratic winds and trees killed by a historic California drought are expected to pose more problems for firefighters, officials said. The Ferguson Fire between the park and the town of Mariposa that's popular with visitors...
Fire Turns Yosemite National Park Smoky, Hurts Businesses
MARIPOSA — A deadly wildfire near Yosemite National Park shrouded the popular destination in smoke and left some tourist-dependent businesses hurting Monday, but visitors still braved trails, campgrounds, lodges and restaurants in the California park, officials said. Amenities were open and visitors posted photos on social media as they hiked...
Deadly Wildfire Near Yosemite Doubles in Size
MARIPOSA — Fire officials say a deadly wildfire burning near the west end of Yosemite National Park doubled in size overnight. U.S. Forest Service spokesman John DeYoe says the Ferguson Fire had scorched 14 square miles of brush and timber as of Monday morning. It is 2 percent contained. Temperatures...
Firefighter Killed in Wildfire Near Yosemite National Park
A second-generation California firefighter who was using a bulldozer to prevent a wildfire from spreading was killed Saturday near Yosemite National Park, state fire officials said. Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney, 36, died in the morning hours, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The Ferguson Fire...