We live in Mammoth Lakes and are in the wilderness almost every day. Whether it’s avalanches, thunderstorms, or something else, the risk and beauty go hand in hand out there.
We got different advice from different rangers. One ranger on the phone told us to hike out. Another ranger on the ground tried driving out and told others to follow of she didn’t return.
The opportunity cost of trying to drive out was low. The fire’s eastward progress was slow so the hike out would still be there.