Creek Fire jumps San Joaquin River, prompting evacuation orders in Madera County
UPDATE: An evacuation order was issued just before 9 p.m. for Beasore Meadows as the Creek Fire continues to grow.
The orders are to leave now with lives in immediate threat of the fire.
The area also is being closed to public access.
Beasore Meadows is approximately 15 miles from Bass Lake.
An evacuation order was in place for Kinsman Flat in North Fork and other areas of Madera County on Saturday as the Creek Fire burns in Sierra National Forest.
Forest spokesman Daniel Tune told The Bee the fire had “jumped” the San Joaquin River, helping prompt orders issued by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office to flee the threatened area.
“There is an immediate threat to life,” the sheriff’s office warned. “The area is being closed to public access. Take action immediately.”
Evacuation orders also were issued for the Mammoth Pools and Whiskey Falls areas.
Deputies were going door-to-door in the Kinsman Flat area. Road 225 and Minarets Road were to be closed at the Reddinger Overlook.
Evacuees in the North Fork area were being directed to North Fork School.
Pizza Factory manager James Silva said some of his employees that live near the fire about Casadel Woods were told to evacuate to the pizza parking lot.
Silva said there were a “few people” in the parking lot. He added that the authorities haven’t called the business to prepare to evacuate.
“We’re ready,” he said. “You can definitely see the smoke at the top of the mountains.”
Rock Creek and Fish Creek Campgrounds also were being evacuated.
Deputies said to “monitor the situation and be prepared to take action immediately. Don’t wait for an evacuation order to leave if you feel threatened.”
The wildfire broke out about 6:30 p.m. Friday near Shaver Lake, and U.S. Forest Service fire crews worked throughout the night. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
As of 4 p.m. Saturday, the fire was estimated to have burned about 36,000 acres with containment at 0%.
About 450 firefighters are battling the fire, Tune said.
Agencies assisting include Cal Fire, Fresno County Fire, Fresno Sheriff, Caltrans and Southern California Edison.
Read more:
Live updates: Wildfire near Shaver Lake forces evacuations, grows to 5,000 acres
See photos and video from the Creek Fire near Shaver Lake in eastern Fresno County
This story was originally published September 5, 2020 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Creek Fire jumps San Joaquin River, prompting evacuation orders in Madera County."
