MARIPOSA — With the recent change in weather conditions, fire officials with the Sierra National Forest are declaring the Ferguson Fire out, terminating Forest Order No. 05-15-51-18-15, dated August 15, 2018.

Visitors are once again permitted to travel in the Sierra National Forest where the Ferguson Fire burned. The Ferguson Fire started on the evening of July 13, 2018 near Savages Trading Post, burning more than 96,000 acres before being contained on August 19, 2018.

Due to the severity of the fire, many hazard trees now exist in areas where the Ferguson Fire burned. Trees along roadways and trails can pose a risk to public safety — be advised that falling trees are becoming more and more prominent in the forest.

Active forest management measures are in progress addressing the hazards caused by the fire, and are still ongoing. Situational awareness by all members of the public is critical, to include avoiding areas where exposure to hazard trees could occur.

At 2 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, Caltrans pre-emptively closed State Route 140 in Mariposa County in the area of the Ferguson Fire burn scar, for approximately 17 miles from Bear Creek (south of Briceburg) to Foresta Road (on the west side of El Portal).

No time or date to reopen the road has been announced at this time; the closure will end depending on the impact of ongoing inclement weather.

For further information regarding the Sierra National Forest and recreational activities please contact the Bass Lake Ranger District in North Fork at 559-877-2218 or the Forest Supervisors Office in Clovis at 559-297-0706.

Know before you go: become familiar with the area that you are visiting. Call the local Forest Service office near the area you will be visiting to check for conditions, restrictions and closures.