River Fire update: Madera County evacuations eased; Cal Fire reports containment at 21%
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River Fire Updates
Read the latest stories on the River Fire, burning along the Mariposa and Madera county border in California.
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UPDATE: The Madera County Sheriff’s Office around 3 p.m. downgraded some of it evacuation guidelines for the River Fire burning southwest of Yosemite National Park.
The evacuation warning for Road 600 between Road 415 and Road 612, Road 600 between Blazing Saddle Trail and Highway 49 have been lifted. These areas are not under any warnings.
The evacuation order for Road 600 between Road 612 and Blazing Saddle Trail, Road 800, Road 820, Road 810, Road 812 has been reduced to a warning. It’s open to residents only, and proof of residence is required.
Road 600 remains closed.
ORIGINAL STORY: Firefighters entered the fourth day of their struggle against the River Fire near Yosemite National Park on Wednesday, as damage assessment teams worked to get a picture of the destruction of the blaze.
Emergency workers received good news from the National Weather Service overnight, as cooler temperatures were forecast for the Sierra Nevada near the blaze in Mariposa and Madera counties. But that was tempered by the chance of 20-mph wind gusts, which would fan flames.
Madera County declared a state of local emergency Tuesday night, as the Board of Supervisors declared the River Fire had strained local resources, which will help the county receive state and federal assistance.
In a Wednesday morning update, Cal Fire reported five structures had been destroyed and 600 threatened by the River Fire, which remained at 9,500 acres consumed while containment improved overnight from 15 percent to 21 percent.
A force of 1,517 personnel were attacking the fire, aided by nine helicopters, 121 engines, 25 bulldozers and numerous air tankers from around the state.
Firefighters continued to fight the fire aggressively and reinforce control lines going into Tuesday night, according to Cal Fire.
Firefighters also were starting mopup efforts and damage assessment.
There were no reports of fatalities related to the fire.
River Fire evacuations
Madera County evacuation orders
Madera County evacuation warnings
Mariposa County: Open to residents only
This story was originally published July 14, 2021 at 7:38 AM with the headline "River Fire update: Madera County evacuations eased; Cal Fire reports containment at 21%."
