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SOS: The Telegraph Fire
An out-of-control 26,000-acre wildfire, dubbed the Telegraph Fire, about 12 miles west of Yosemite National Park has consumed 12 homes, engulfed 27 other buildings and threatens thousands more.
“There’s no fire history in the past 100 hundred years. That’s one of the reasons this fire’s been able to burn so erratically,” said a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Orange County Firefighters Tyler Johnson, left and Mike Reinhold look at fires burning across the Briceburg mountains along side the Merced River Sunday, July 27, 2008 in Briceburg, Calif. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian). Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!
Officials have ordered the evacuations of some 500 homes under immediate threat, most of which were in the town of Midpines. Hot, dry weather is expected to continue into the week.
Meanwhile, the Custer National Forest fire in Montana, had grown to about 3,000 acres by late Sunday and charred five summer homes and an outhouse in the Camp Senia area, reports said.
- Jennifer and Harry Strawbridge watch their property go up in flames on the slopes of Mount Bullion. Photo by Michael Maloney / The Chronicle. Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!
Statewide – Fire Overview – Issued by Cal Fire
Sunday, July 27, 2008 9:00 a.m.
Current Situation: On June 20, 2008, a thunderstorm system moved over California striking over two thousand lightning sparked fires. Today over 98 percent of those fires have been contained. California’s firefighters have received assistance from firefighting agencies across the state, nation and several foreign countries. Conditions throughout California remain extremely dry and fire danger remains very high.
On Friday afternoon a new fire broke out in Mariposa County. The Telegraph Fire is burning near the community of Midpines and is threatening approximately two thousand homes. Firefighters observed extremely erratic fire behavior due to the dry conditions and the fact that the area has not burned in the past 100 years.
Statistics:
Fires: Peak Fires: 2,093
Contained: 2,067
Active: 26
Acres charred: 1,060,907
Personnel Committed: 11,793
Resources Committed:
- Engines: 660
- Crews: 267
- Dozers: 129
- Water Tenders: 216
- Helicopters: 78
Items of Interest:
Highway closures: Firefighters remind everyone to use extreme caution while driving on roads affected by fires. All major roads are now open. There may be some delays on State Highways 70, 299. Travelers are advised to seek current information on secondary road closures from local law enforcement.
Evacuations: Areas of Mariposa and Trinity counties are under evacuation orders at this time. Residents are advised to monitor their local fire situation, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary.
Structures:
- Threatened: 4,310 residences, 86 commercial, 1,113 outbuildings.
- Destroyed: 158 residences, 1 commercial, 139 outbuildings.
Related Links:
Fire Earth 