The South Fork Fire is burning less than a mile from the community of Wawona/InciWeb

With thunderstorms and windy conditions in the forecast, residents and visitors near the community of Wawona in Yosemite National Park were evacuated Saturday as the 3,191-acre South Fork Fire burned less than a mile to the east.

The mandatory order took effect at 4 p.m. Saturday for all areas east of Highway 41 along Chilnualna Falls Road and Forest Drive. While the Wawona Campground remains open, the Big Trees Lodge is closed due to the fact that Yosemite Hospitality employees that work there are being evacuated. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Tenaya Lodge.

An update Sunday morning noted the fire is 10 percent contained, with 522 personnel – 13 hand crews, seven helicopters, and 13 engines – assigned to the fire.

“The fire remains active in all divisions. Crews are working in steep and inaccessible terrain with heavy fuel loads,” according to the update from InciWeb. “Firefighters will continue to strengthen the firelines located east of Wawona and suppress spot fires occurring on the south of the South Fork of the Merced. A combination of firing operations, air support, and direct line construction will continue.”

Crews are focused on holding the western and southern flanks of the fire while monitoring the northern and eastern edges. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics are being utilized in the Yosemite wilderness, using natural barriers such as rocks or streams, trails, and other minimal disturbance methods to contain the fire.

Thunderstorm activity is expected to cause erratic winds over the fire area throughout the week.