The fire burning in Mariposa County near Yosemite National Park threatens to destroy thousands of homes
The fire burning in Mariposa County near Yosemite National Park threatens to destroy thousands of homes
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The fire burning in Mariposa County near Yosemite National Park threatens to destroy thousands of homes
More evacuation orders were reduced as crews make progress in slowing the spread of California's largest wildfire of the season, Cal Fire said in a Tuesday evening update.
The Oak Fire forced thousands of Mariposa County residents to evacuate as it threatens to destroy more homes and challenges firefighters amid steep terrain, officials said.
The fire started sometime after 2:30 p.m. on Friday near Highway 140 and Carstens Road by the community of Midpines, which is about 75 miles east of Modesto. Highway 140 is one of the main roads drivers use from the Central Coast to travel into Yosemite Valley.
"Although good progress continues on the fire, there is much work to be done," Cal Fire said Tuesday evening, explaining that steep and rugged terrain continues to make controlling the fire difficult.
Smoke in the area also hampered aircraft, Cal Fire said.
It has burned at least 18,532 acres as of Tuesday evening, Cal Fire said. Containment is 26%.
With containment lines, crews build either natural or manmade barriers around the perimeter of a fire to prevent flames from spreading, but there have been cases in recent years where extreme wildfire behavior can spread past a containment line.
At least 42 single-residence structures had been destroyed as of Tuesday morning, Cal Fire said.
More than 1,100 structures are currently threatened. Damage inspection teams started their assessments on Sunday for some of the areas impacted by the fire.
See a map of current evacuations here.
Evacuation orders are issued when there is an immediate threat to life, and you are lawfully required to leave.
Roads open to residents only:
Evacuation centers for displaced residents:
Large animals can be sheltered at the Mariposa County Fair Grounds, while small animals can be dropped off at the Mariposa Elementary School.
Cal Fire said in Tuesday morning's update that persistent drought, critically dry fuels and tree mortality were all contributing factors to the fire's spread.
However, higher humidity levels due to monsoonal moisture is helping crews battle the blaze Tuesday. Humidity is forecast to begin to trend higher.
Smoke from the fire is also making for poor visibility to the north during the day and across the fire at night, officials said.
| GALLERY BELOW | Photos show the Oak Fire firefight, damage
AP/Noah Berger Slideshow 11 photos Share Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Gallery: Firefighters battle Oak Fire as it explodes in size, destroys at least 10 structures in Mariposa County 1 of 11 Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: AP/Noah Berger 2 of 11 Flames consume a home on Triangle Rd. as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: AP/Noah Berger 3 of 11 Firefighter Joanna Jimenez holds a dog she found wandering in a fire evacuation zone as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 4 of 11 A plane drops retardant while battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 5 of 11 Firefighters help an elderly man from his car, seen at right, after he crashed into a ditch while driving away from the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 6 of 11 A firefighter extinguishes flames as the Oak Fire crosses Darrah Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. Crews were able to to stop it from reaching an adjacent home. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 7 of 11 The Oak Fire burns behind a scorched pickup truck in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 8 of 11 Firefighters work to keep the Oak Fire from reaching a home in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Advertisement 9 of 11 Flames from the Oak Fire consume a home on Triangle Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 10 of 11 A helicopter drops water on the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 11 of 11 The Oak Fire burns near the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Advertisement 1 of 11 Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: AP/Noah Berger Flames consume a home on Triangle Rd. as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: AP/Noah Berger Firefighter Joanna Jimenez holds a dog she found wandering in a fire evacuation zone as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger A plane drops retardant while battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Firefighters help an elderly man from his car, seen at right, after he crashed into a ditch while driving away from the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger A firefighter extinguishes flames as the Oak Fire crosses Darrah Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. Crews were able to to stop it from reaching an adjacent home. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger The Oak Fire burns behind a scorched pickup truck in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Firefighters work to keep the Oak Fire from reaching a home in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Flames from the Oak Fire consume a home on Triangle Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger A helicopter drops water on the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger The Oak Fire burns near the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger 1 of 11 Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: AP/Noah Berger Flames consume a home on Triangle Rd. as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: AP/Noah Berger Firefighter Joanna Jimenez holds a dog she found wandering in a fire evacuation zone as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger A plane drops retardant while battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Firefighters help an elderly man from his car, seen at right, after he crashed into a ditch while driving away from the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger A firefighter extinguishes flames as the Oak Fire crosses Darrah Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. Crews were able to to stop it from reaching an adjacent home. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger The Oak Fire burns behind a scorched pickup truck in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Firefighters work to keep the Oak Fire from reaching a home in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger Flames from the Oak Fire consume a home on Triangle Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger A helicopter drops water on the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger The Oak Fire burns near the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) PHOTO: Noah Berger
Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames consume a home on Triangle Rd. as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighter Joanna Jimenez holds a dog she found wandering in a fire evacuation zone as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A plane drops retardant while battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters help an elderly man from his car, seen at right, after he crashed into a ditch while driving away from the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A firefighter extinguishes flames as the Oak Fire crosses Darrah Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. Crews were able to to stop it from reaching an adjacent home. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Oak Fire burns behind a scorched pickup truck in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters work to keep the Oak Fire from reaching a home in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames from the Oak Fire consume a home on Triangle Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A helicopter drops water on the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Oak Fire burns near the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames consume a home on Triangle Rd. as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighter Joanna Jimenez holds a dog she found wandering in a fire evacuation zone as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A plane drops retardant while battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters help an elderly man from his car, seen at right, after he crashed into a ditch while driving away from the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A firefighter extinguishes flames as the Oak Fire crosses Darrah Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. Crews were able to to stop it from reaching an adjacent home. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Oak Fire burns behind a scorched pickup truck in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters work to keep the Oak Fire from reaching a home in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames from the Oak Fire consume a home on Triangle Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A helicopter drops water on the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Oak Fire burns near the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames engulf a chair inside a burning home as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames consume a home on Triangle Rd. as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighter Joanna Jimenez holds a dog she found wandering in a fire evacuation zone as the Oak Fire burns in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A plane drops retardant while battling the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters help an elderly man from his car, seen at right, after he crashed into a ditch while driving away from the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A firefighter extinguishes flames as the Oak Fire crosses Darrah Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Friday, July 22, 2022. Crews were able to to stop it from reaching an adjacent home. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Oak Fire burns behind a scorched pickup truck in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters work to keep the Oak Fire from reaching a home in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Flames from the Oak Fire consume a home on Triangle Rd. in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
A helicopter drops water on the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The Oak Fire burns near the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Saturday, July 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
The wildfire that has quickly grown to be the largest for this year's wildfire season in California has led Gov. Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency in Mariposa County. This allows the Office of Emergency Services to assist in local governments affected by the fire. Read the full proclamation here.
There were reports of people without cars trapped in the evacuation zone on Friday night, but KCRA 3 has learned that law enforcement officials were able to help them out.
KHNX echo top from the #Oakfire now estimated at 24,000 feet. Fire showing explosive growth. pic.twitter.com/RvWiCtsWnO
One of the main roads to Yosemite Valley, Highway 140, is now closed due to the fire. Drivers trying to get to the national park will have to go through Highway 120 at this time.
The fire is about 30 miles away from Yosemite Valley. The national park was threatened recently by the Washburn Fire, but crews have managed to protect the cherished sequoias in Mariposa Grove from getting burned.
Smoke from the wildfire has moved north into the Sierra, specifically in the Tahoe basin.
PurpleAir reported that the worst air quality was at "unhealthy levels" in the Pollock Pines area, South Lake Tahoe area and the Truckee area. Even those as far north as Graegle were seeing unhealthy levels of air quality from the smoke.
| READ MORE | Oak Fire smoke spreads north into the Tahoe area
| READ THEIR STORY | 'It was coming fast': Mariposa couple recounts Oak Fire evacuation from home
The Oak Fire is burning into the burn scar left behind by the Ferguson Fire in 2018. That is helping slow down the rate of spread at which the fire is burning.
The Ferguson Fire left two firefighters dead and injured 19 others. At the height of the fire, more than 3,000 people from across the globe were assigned to extinguish the wildfire.
According to Sierra National Forest officials, 96,901 acres were torched and 10 structures were destroyed.
| VIDEO |Watch the Oak Fire burning from the sky
| RELATED | 2022 Northern California wildfire resources: Where to find county evacuation info, maps, alerts and more
The Cosumnes Fire Department said crews from its agency and the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District are heading to the Oak Fire to help on the front lines. Modesto, Stanislaus Consolidated and Turlock resources were also sent to the fire Saturday morning.
Turlock fire crews are also responding, according a tweet from the fire department.
On the morning of 7/23 Turlock Firefighters on E33 were deployed to the #oakfire in Mariposa County as part of a local government strike team #4200 Alpha with Modesto Fire and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire. #Turlock #TurlockFire pic.twitter.com/KYTvUKx3Iw
They are among the thousands of other firefighters that have been assigned to help contain this fire.
The state has also secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to "help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Oak Fire."
The grant will allow local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for a 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire impression costs, a release from the Governor's Office said on Saturday.
Metro Fire deployed 2-Type 1 and a 1-Type 3 OES engines, and several Incident Management personnel to the Oak Incident. Crews will be working on fire containment and structure protection assignments. Thank you to those members and their families for supporting those communities! pic.twitter.com/rshbYpIs2U
Cosumnes Fire and Metro Fire are deploying crews tonight to the Oak Fire. These two OES wildland engine crews will join with others from the region to assist with this new fire. pic.twitter.com/ooQcL13eVo
It's unclear what caused the fire. Cal Fire said several investigators are working to figure out the cause.
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