The Ferguson Fire is 100 Percent Contained Following a 5-Week Battle

Photo by Stuart Palley

On July 13, the Feguson Fire erupted in Mariposa County, eventually burning 96,000 acres and killing two firefighters. On August 19, the fire was 100 percent contained.

Firefighters will continue to work on spot fires inside the containment lines in the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests and in Yosemite National Park, but there is no threat of the containment line growing. The 5-week battle has a total cost of $116.9 million.



The fire destroyed 10 structures, some of which were vacation cabins. Firefighters Braden Varney and Brian Hughes lost their lives fighting the blaze and 19 more firefighters were injured.

The fire created disruption in the area known for its outdoor recreation, with Yosemite National Park being forced to close for weeks due to fire danger and smoke hazard. Park officials expect to reopen the remainder of the park, including Wawona Road, on August 24th, ending the park’s longest closure since 1997.

The reopening of the park is a huge win for park officials, who have seen budget cuts in the past year and rely on the busy summer months to create a robust budget for the coming year. They are encouraging people not to be hesitant to come visit the park.



“Air quality in Yosemite has been good to moderate over the past several days and we’re excited for everyone to be out and enjoying the park!” the park said on Twitter.

Of the three massive fires in Northern California, containment levels have increased drastically in the recent weeks. The Carr Fire, which has now made its way to Shasta Lake, is 88 percent contained. The Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest fire in California’s history, is at 77 percent containment.

While we rejoice over the recent fire victories in Northern California, it’s important to note that fire season is just getting started. Fire’s typically move much quicker and become more erratic in the months of September and October. Please take safety precautions.

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

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