Crews gain on Stanislaus forest wildfire

Blaze 50% contained as helicopters drop torrent of retardant

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

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Minimal fire activity Monday night allowed firefighters to contain 50 percent of the North Mountain fire, which by Tuesday had burned 2,750 acres in a remote area of the Stanislaus National Forest and into Yosemite National Park.

Steep, rugged terrain, however, continued to slow the progress of firefighters trying to put out the blaze, according to a news release.

As of Tuesday, 514 people had been assigned to fight the fire. Ground crews continued to dig fire breaks with aerial support from three helicopters.

Lightning sparked the North Mountain fire and at least nine smaller fires June 21 north of Highway 120 and the Tuolumne River in the Stanislaus National Forest's Groveland Ranger District.

Fire officials had no estimate for when the fire would be under control.

Ground crews were flown to a remote wilderness camp so they could reach hard-to-access areas and dig more fire breaks.

A Type 1 heavy helicopter, which has the capability of carrying as much as 1,800 gallons of fire retardant, is allowing authorities to drop more retardant on the flames more rapidly, fire officials said.

No evacuations have been ordered, and no roads have been closed.

"Firefighters and equipment will be working in the area" read signs posted on Cherry Lake Road.

Tuesday's weather continued to be hot and dry with increased winds from the southwest, increasing the chances for fire growth.

Additional crews arrived Tuesday to help battle the blaze, and fire officials have reported 11 injuries since the fire started.

Gov. Schwarzenegger on Tuesday ordered the California National Guard to help fight the wildfires scorching Northern California.

The National Guard is mobilizing at least 200 members from Northern and Southern California to help the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as it fights hundreds of fires covering thousands of acres, the governor's office announced Tuesday morning.

That marks the first time the Guard has been asked to send soldiers to join ground-based fire crews since 1977, a Guard spokesman said.

Schwarzenegger also declared a state of emergency this morning in Mariposa County, where the Oliver Complex fires have burned more than 2,800 acres and are threatening homes.

As of Tuesday, firefighters had 70 percent containment on the Oliver Complex fires, according to the Cal Fire Web site.

For more information about the North Mountain Fire, call 372-0480 or go to www.nps.gov/yose and click on "Current fires and air quality."

The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.