Ferguson Fire: Mariposa Blaze Continues To Grow In 18th Day

MARIPOSA COUNTY, CA -- The Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County continued to grow Monday, bringing the total acreage to more than 57,000. Over the weekend, as crews worked to contained the blaze, officials announced a second firefighter had died in the wildfire.

Officials said Brian Hughes from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park died when a tree struck him while fighting the blaze. Another firefighter, Braden Varney, died earlier in the month. Another seven people were injured.

The Ferguson Fire ignited July 13 in the Sierra National Forest, mostly burning steep and rugged terrain where there is little to no access to roads, officials said.

Now 30 percent contained, there are more than 3,600 personnel currently working to control the wildfire, which destroyed one structure.

The fire prompted the temporary closure of parts of Yosemite National Park although park officials plan to reopen Yosemite Valley at 4 p.m. Friday.

The fire was one of several to sweep across the state over the weekend. The Carr Fire, the largest wildfire currently burning in California, grew to 98,000 acres and claimed the lives of six people, including two firefighters. It also burned more than 700 homes and threatened another 5,000 structures.

Photo courtesy of US Forest Service