Flames are reflected in Mono Lake in this photo posted to the Inciweb Incident Information System.
Highway 395 reopened 8 p.m. Saturday after power crews repaired lines near Mono Lake damaged in the Inn Fire.
Mandatory evacuations around the fire were downgraded to an advisory by the Mono County Sheriff’s Office.
There may be one-way traffic along the route as firefighters continue clean-up on the fire.
The fire claimed at least one structure, according to firefighters and an owner who posted to social media.
The Mono Inn was saved, according to the poster, who thanked firefighters for their efforts.
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It might be a little quieter on Highway 395 than a typical Memorial Day weekend as a wildfire near Mono Lake has the main route between Southern California and Western Nevada shut down in both directions.
Motorists are being diverted onto Highway 120 south of Lee Vining to Highway 6 and then Highway 95 near Tonopah. Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Highway 167 just north of the fire to Hawthorne.
The White Mountain Fire Department has urged motorists to use extreme caution on Highway 6 due to the large volume of holiday drivers using the road through Benson.
The Inn Fire started around 3:36 p.m. Thursday on the west side of Highway 395, just south of Mono City, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“Erratic winds caused the fire to grow quickly and spot across the east side of Highway 395,” fire officials said on inciweb.wildfire.gov. “A full suppression response was ordered by fire management, including firefighting aircraft. Highway 395 was quickly closed in both directions for safety and for the threat and impacts to power lines. Evacuation orders were issued approximately one half hour after the fire started for Mono City, then Lundy Canyon after.”
The official acreage is reported at 707 acres as of Friday night. Satellite mapping on the Fire Information for Resource Management System indicates around twice area is being affected by the fire.Â
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7:25 a.m. May 23
A wildfire estimated to have grown to around 1,500 acres has closed Highway 395 from Lee Vining to north of Mono Lake.
The Inn fire was first reported at 3:35 p.m. Thursday and quickly grew to the official 540 acres in erratic winds, forcing mandatory evacuations of the Tioga Lodge and Mono City.
Evacuation centers have been established at Bridgeport Memorial Hall, 73 North School St. and the Lee Vining Community Center, 296 Mattly Ave.
Fire Information for Resource Management System mapping shows the fire at around 1,500 acres with the portions burning over night.
The fire has burned up to the west shore of Mono Lake, according to mapping.
The fire is burning on both sides of the highway, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Several mutual aid agencies are responding as well including CAL FIRE, Mono City Volunteer Fire Department, Sierra National Forest, and others.