Mudslide closes highway into Yosemite, vehicles abandoned

A mud and debris slide forced the closure late Tuesday of Highway 140 at El Portal, cutting off a major access point to Yosemite National Park.

There were no injuries reported and the park remains opens, but the highway in Mariposa County is expected to remain closed for at least 24 hours, according to Chief Kelly Martin of Yosemite National Park fire service.

The slide was first reported just after 5 p.m. following a day of heavy rain and thunder, authorities said.

“It was a combination of mud and debris that came onto the road, probably (stemming) from the El Portal and Dog Rock fires in 2014,” Martin said.

Several people abandoned their vehicles but were able to walk to the Yosemite View Lodge, the fire chief said.

“The park is open, the other routes into the park are open, but this short section of road coming into Yosemite Valley is impassable,” Martin said.

Traffic is being diverted at highways 140 and 120, Martin said, and motorists should take alternate routes into the park.

Several law enforcement agencies and road crews remain on scene working to clear the roadway.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Mudslide closes highway into Yosemite, vehicles abandoned."