Railroad Fire near Yosemite closes Highway 41, prompts evacuations of hundreds
A rapidly growing inferno near Yosemite National Park has now reached more than 1,000 acres and is 0 percent contained, the U.S. Forest Service reports, as hundreds have been forced to flee the flames.
The Railroad Fire, sparked around 12:30 p.m. near Highway 41 and Mill Canyon Road in Fish Camp, has forced the highway's closure as well as the evacuation of all businesses and homes in the area, including Tenaya Lodge.
Road 630 (Sugar Pine Road) and all cross streets, as well as Highway 41 between Cedar Valley Road and Summerdale Campground are also under evacuation orders, the Madera County Sheriff's Office said.
Numerous agencies have joined forces to help residents and guests evacuate, while bringing the flames under control. Those include Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, Caltrans, and the sheriff's offices and road and fire departments from both Madera and Mariposa counties, among others.
The highway remains closed at Road 630 while Tenaya Lodge, the Narrow Gauge Inn, and other hotels have been evacuated. An evening update from the U.S. Forest Service said no homes have been damaged or destroyed, but 100 are threatened. Earlier reports said three homes might have been claimed by the blaze.
An evacuation shelter has been opened at the Oakhurst Community Center. Another shelter was set to open at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.
Air attack crews were overhead earlier in the afternoon to make retardant and water drops, and remained overhead by 3 p.m. Reportedly, some air attack teams were having trouble on the fire's eastern flank due to smoke impairing their visibility.
Some air resources were reportedly being diverted from the South Fork and Empire fires in Yosemite National Park.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office said anyone seeking more information on the Railroad Fire can text "Railroadfire" to 888777.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 1:07 PM with the headline "Railroad Fire near Yosemite closes Highway 41, prompts evacuations of hundreds."