Ferguson Fire grows to 43,299 acres, still sending some smoke into Lake Tahoe Basin

Some smoke from the Fergason Fire burning west of Yosemite is still making its way into the Lake Tahoe Basin Thursday, and more of the same hazy conditions are expected Friday.

The fire grew by 1,723 acres overnight to a total of 43,299 acres and firefighters have been able to get a line around 27 percent of the fire. 3,686 personnel are currently engaged on the fire which includes 241 engines, 47 water tenders, 18 helicopters, 94 crews, and 63 dozers. South Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Fire and North Tahoe Fire all have sent crews to help in the efforts.

There has been an air quality alert issued for Mariposa County due to smoke impacts from the fire. Smoke levels continue to reach well into the hazardous range.

Not only are residents and firefighters exposed to the smoke, there is also a heat advisory in place as temperatures are into the 100s. The South Lake Tahoe firefighters seeking relief when off duty have found the Sears store in Mariposa to be the only cool and air-conditioned building in the area.

Prompted by heavy smoke and their proximity to the blaze, Yosemite Valley closed Wednesday for the first time in almost three decades. The rest of Yosemite remains open at the time and Tioga Pass is open. Highway 140 and many other roads are closed, and several residential areas have been evacuated.

Much of the fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with little to no access roads.

There has been 1 fatality and 7 injuries to date. 1 structure has been destroyed.