Yosemite fire cost exceeds $16 million

The Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park might be contained, but it continues to be an expensive endeavor as crews move into mop-up mode.

As of Wednesday, the fire has cost $16.3 million to douse, up from $15.8 million on Tuesday, according to park officials.
   

Resources devoted to the fire dwindled to 171 personnel — down from 400 personnel on Tuesday and 1,300 at its peak — 10 fire engines, three helicopters and one water tender.

As of Tuesday, all roads in Yosemite were open. Smoke is lingering along Big Oak Flat Road inside the park, where scorched landscape is smoldering on both sides.

Officials are advising motorists to drive slowly with their headlights on as road crews will be working and the area will be smoky from burning vegetation.

Fire crews are currently working in Foresta to clear debris left behind from near where the fire started when a 91-acre prescribed burn ran beyond its boundaries on Aug. 26.

Crews are also mopping up hot spots and restoring trails and firelines.    

The Tamarack and Crane Flat campgrounds remain closed, as do three trails leading to El Capitan: Old Big Oak Flat, Rockslides and Tamarack Creek.

The fire has burned 7,425 acres, or 11.6 square miles.