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Updated July 23 at 7 p.m
The newest
The oak fire near Yosemite continued its “explosive” growth on Saturday, nearly doubling since the morning. At 11,900 acres, it is now California’s largest wildfire so far this year and has forced mandatory evacuations for thousands in Mariposa County.
Smoke from the oak fire is expected to blanket the Sierra Nevada and foothills beginning early Sunday morning. corresponding the Sacramento National Weather Service.
The wildfire started near Midpines, about 90 minutes east of Modesto. You can find an evacuation map here.
Cal Fire has described the fire activity as “extreme” and at least 10 buildings were destroyed, with photos from the area showing several homes caught in the fire. Around 2,000 buildings were classified as threatened as of Saturday night without the fire being contained.
“Explosive fire behavior poses challenges for firefighters,” Cal Fire wrote in the agency’s update Saturday night.
The wildfire has paralyzed Highway 140, which leads to Yosemite Valley. This is the second fire burning in the area. Mandatory evacuations are planned for several high-elevation communities east of Mariposa, including the Lushmeadows subdivision, which has a population of about 1,700.
Firefighters were making progress on the Washburn fire burning in the park, which was 79% contained as of Friday morning.
Yosemite National Park officials say visitors will be banned from lighting bonfires in some areas of the park to reduce the risk of starting new wildfires as firefighters have been battling a blaze since last week.
Residents of Wawona Municipality began returning to their homes over the weekend. IAccident commander Josh Boehm said his only reservation about people returning to their homes is air quality.
Check airnow.gov for the latest air quality forecast in your area. Smoke from the oak fire is expected to travel south and east of the fire on Saturday but may move into the Central Valley late Sunday through Monday.
This post will be updated with the latest information on these fires as it becomes available. Sign up for emergency alerts in your county to be notified of evacuation alerts and orders.
Here are the fires we follow. Click here to get more information:
Here are some resources for preparing for barrel fires and following fire information:
oak fire
counties: butterfly
Where to get information
Cultivation area and containment
By 7:00 p.m. on July 23, this fire was 0% contained and had burned 11,900 acres.
evacuations
Here you will find current information on the evacuation:
Writhing Fire
counties: Yuba
Where to get information
Cultivation area and containment
At 3:13 p.m. on July 21, this fire was 95% contained and had burned 82 acres.
evacuations
Here you will find current information on the evacuation:
Washburn fire
counties: Mariposa (Yosemite National Park)
Where to get information
Cultivation area and containment
At 6:28 a.m. on July 23, this fire was 79% contained and had burned 4,856 acres.
evacuations
Here you will find current information on the evacuation:
Electra fire
counties: Amador, Calaveras
Where to get information
Cultivation area and containment
By 7 a.m. July 21, this fire was 99% contained and had burned 4,478 acres.
evacuations
Here you will find current information on the evacuation:
Fully contained fires
- Dates: June 28 – July 11
- Total area: 904 hectares
- Dates: June 30 – July 3
- Total area: 34 hectares
- Dates: June 30 – July 1
- Total area: 250
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