Yosemite Remains Opens as Wildfire Burns Nearby
Officials at Yosemite National Park this afternoon emphasized that it remains open while a wildfire burns outside its borders to the west in Mariposa County. Named after a motorhome that caught fire on Highway 140, the Motor Fire has burned through about 3,000 acres on both sides of the Merced River, affecting the Sierra and Stanislaus national forests.
Yosemite cannot by accessed via Highway 140, which is closed 10 miles east of Mariposa, but visitors can use highways 120 and 41 from the west and the Tioga Pass from the east via Highway 395. Officials have no estimated date when 140 will reopen.
"Yosemite Valley remains relatively smoke free and visitors with reservations within the park are encouraged to keep their plans," a press release stated. "Additionally, the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal is accessible through Yosemite Valley and out the Arch Rock Entrance Station."
Fire information hotlines have been set up and will be operational 24 hours, park officials said. The numbers are 209-372-0327 and 209-372-0329.
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The photo used on this post is by Flickr user Rennett Stowe. It was used under a Creative Commons License.