Firefighting efforts around a fire started Thursday, Aug. 25, near Yosemite National Park, have allowed for area evacuation orders to be lifted. The 5,231-acre blaze is 50 percent contained as of this morning.
The evacuations affected Rancheria Flat, Cedar Lodge, Incline and El Portal Trailer Village. Highway 140 is also now open for traffic traveling both eastbound and westbound, according to the Incident Information System's report for the Motor Fire.
The fire is driving through very steep canyon slopes and has burned to the top ridges above the Merced River on both sides of the canyon. Winds continue to be light, aiding in the effort.
The only remaining impacts to Yosemite of this fire, according to NPS.gov, is the closure of Bridalveil Creek Campground, for use by the firefighters. All other aspects of tourism and travel within Yosemite are functional and not impacted.
More than 1200 people are fighting the fire. The estimated containment date is Sept. 9.
