Highway 140 Yosemite Closure: Colorado Fire Updates
- Chris Van Leuven
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Latest update — September 3, 2026: Highway 140 remains affected by the Colorado Fire between Midpines and El Portal. Yosemite National Park remains open. Check Caltrans and NPS road conditions before traveling.
If you've got a Yosemite trip coming up and you've seen the news about a wildfire near Mariposa, here's what you actually need to know.
Short version: The Colorado Fire broke out September 1 along Highway 140 near Briceburg, east of Mariposa town. As of this morning (9/3/26), it's 233 acres and 20% contained, up from 15% last night, with only minimal fire activity overnight. Highway 140 is still closed between Briceburg and the Bug Hostel. Mariposa itself — and our tours — are outside the fire area and running normally.
What happened
On Tuesday afternoon, a cement truck and a small tour bus collided on Highway 140 near Bull Creek Road, just east of Midpines. The crash sparked a fire that spread quickly in the steep terrain above the Merced River canyon, prompting evacuation orders around Briceburg, Rancheria Creek, and the Octagon area. No one on the bus was hurt; the truck driver was taken to a hospital.
Where things stand this morning
Size: 233 acres, holding steady — no significant growth since Tuesday night
Containment: 20%, up from 15% yesterday evening and 0% when it started
Overnight: Fire activity was minimal. Cooler weather and better overnight humidity have been working in crews' favor; the main concern now is rolling debris crossing the containment lines on that steep ground
On scene: 651 personnel, 53 engines, 11 dozers, 2 helicopters, and air tankers as conditions allow
Structures: 45 threatened, none lost
Cause: Still under investigation
That's a solid trend — containment is climbing, activity is slowing, and crews are mostly reinforcing and mopping up rather than chasing active spread.
Is Highway 140 open?
Not yet. It's still closed between Briceburg and the Bug Hostel — the stretch below Midpines heading toward El Portal. That's the direct western route into Yosemite Valley. CAL FIRE hasn't given a reopening estimate, but with containment rising and overnight activity described as minimal, this one looks like it's heading in the right direction.
If you're coming from the west and need to get into the Valley while 140 is closed, Highway 41 (via Fresno/Oakhurst) and Highway 120 (from the north) are both open and unaffected.
Does this affect Mariposa, or your e-bike tour with us?
No. We start and end every tour at the Mariposa Visitor Center, right in town — well west of the fire and outside any evacuation zone. The Colorado Fire is burning several miles east, up toward Briceburg and the river canyon. If you've got a tour booked, it's happening as planned, and Yosemite National Park itself has stayed open through all of this.
If you've got a trip planned this week
Check conditions the morning you leave — links below. Fire status changes fast; don't plan your route off a blog post, including this one.
Routing through Highway 140 toward El Portal? Build in extra time, or use Highway 41 or 120 as a backup.
Staying in or visiting Mariposa? Come on out — the town's outside the closure and evacuation zones entirely.
Keep an eye on smoke, not just road status — the Merced River canyon can get hazy even outside the closure area.
Quick questions people are asking
Is Yosemite National Park open? Yes, the whole time. The fire is outside the park, near Highway 140 and Colorado Road in Mariposa County.
Is Highway 140 closed all the way to Mariposa? No — the closure is east of town, between Briceburg and the Bug Hostel. The western approach into Mariposa is open.
Can I still book an e-bike tour? Yes. We're based in downtown Mariposa, outside the fire zone, and operating on our normal schedule.
What started it? A cement truck and tour bus collision on Highway 140 near Bull Creek Road on September 1. The crash itself is still under investigation.
Check real-time status here
Caltrans QuickMap — live Highway 140 status
Mariposa County Sheriff's Office — evacuation zone updates
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