YOSEMITE — Crews made good progress on the South Fork Fire yesterday, constructing hand line on the west flank of the fire north of Wawona Dome.

The fire is now estimated at 2,903 acres with 10 percent containment. There are 528 personnel assigned to the incident including 13 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 11 engines and 3 air tankers.

UPDATE 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 — There is now a mandatory evacuation in place for the Wawona community.

Burning operations may continue today if conditions are favorable to secure the protection of the Wawona community and the Mariposa Sequoia Grove.

Heavy inversions grounded aircraft until late afternoon yesterday. Flights will continue when conditions allow.

Strategic objectives remain the same: utilize air and ground resources to hold the western and southern flanks while monitoring the northern and eastern edges. Minimal Impact Suppression Techniques are being used in the Yosemite Wilderness to manage the area of the fire, using natural barriers such as rocks or streams and trails and other minimal disturbance methods to control the fire.

Smoke will continue to affect the Wawona area, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Community members who are sensitive to smoke should consult their physician and may want to remain indoors or leave the area in periods of heavy smoke.

The National Park Service staff will hold a community meeting on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Wawona Community Center. An air quality specialist will be attending the meeting to answer any questions.

Thunderstorm activity again threatens the fire area, causing erratic winds and a spot fire over the Merced River to the south. Gusty erratic winds associated with thunderstorms caused spot fires west of the fire line in Division A. Crews continue suppression efforts on these spots.

Yosemite National Park’s Wawona Campground will reopen on Saturday, Aug. 19. Visitors can make reservations at www.recreation.gov, by calling 877-444-6777 or by visiting the Wawona Campground Office.