Evacuation order issued for Mariposa as Detwiler fire rages on

The entire town of Mariposa was placed under evacuation orders shortly after noon Tuesday as the Detwiler fire creeps closer and continues to roar out of control.

The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office called all available units back to key parts of the main town area shortly before noon to prepare residents for evacuation.

Evacuations have been ordered along Highway 49 north from Agua Fria Road to Highway 140, in the center of Mariposa, along with all feeder roads.

The Red Cross shelter in Mariposa is being closed, and a new shelter will be opened at Cesar Chavez Junior High School in Planada, said Jessica Piffero, a public information officer with the Red Cross.

The fire was just under 20,000 acres shortly after noon Tuesday and 5 percent contained, Cal Fire reported.

Over scanner reports, firefighters have called for numerous additional Very Large Air Tankers and at least 10 strike teams to prepare for structure defense.

This story was originally published July 18, 2017 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Evacuation order issued for Mariposa as Detwiler fire rages on."