LIVE UPDATES: River Fire near Coarsegold now at 4,000 acres. Here are areas under evacuation
Read the latest updates on the River Fire from Monday >> Firefighters brace for brutal heat as River Fire near Yosemite advances.
A wildfire continues to spread west of Yosemite National Park, prompting multiple evacuations.
Dubbed the “River Fire,” the wildfire is burning along the Mariposa and Madera county border in the area near Oak Grove Road and Oak Grove School Road, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire spokesperson Jamie Williams said the fire was being wind-driven and at a critical rate of spread.
First sign of containment
Roughly six hours after the River Fire started, firefighters managed to contain some of the wildfire.
At around 10 p.m., Cal Fire reported the River Fire had grown to 4,000 acres but firefighters also established 5% containment.
Firefighters are continuing to make an aggressive attack on the fire, while dealing with hot, dry and windy conditions, according to Cal Fire.
The fire is burning in oak/grass woodland, Cal Fire added.
The agency had not reported any structures destroyed and any injuries from the fire.
There are 251 total personnel combating the fire, as well as 53 engines, seven dozers, five water tenders and five hand crews.
Fire growing
As of about 7:20 p.m., Cal Fire reported that the River Fire had grown to 2,500 acres with no containment and was the largest active fire currently happening in California and considered a Cal Fire incident.
Previously, the fire was at 800 acres at 5:43 p.m.
When the fire was first reported, the River Fire was at 50 acres around 3:30 p.m.
The River Fire is roughly 30 miles west of Coarsegold.
Evacuation updates
10:18 p.m.: Mandatory evacuations in Madera County were issued for:
- Road 800
- Road 810
- Road 812
- Road 600
- Apache Road to 612 both sides
In addition, Madera County evacuation warnings were made for:
- Road 600
- Road 612
- Road 415
6:57 p.m.: An evacuation order was issued for Road 600 South of Road 810 to Road 612.
Residents have been ordered to leave now with the area closed to public access.
6:25 p.m.: An evacuation warning was issued for Road 600 North of Apache Ranch to CA-49 due to FIRE, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
There is potential threat to life and property.
6:22 p.m.: An evacuation order was issued for Road 600 between Road 810 AND Apache Ranch Road, where the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said there is an immediate threat to life.
The evacuation order is to leave now with the area being closed to public access.
An evacuation shelter is to be established the New Life Christian Fellowship, located at 5089 Cole Road.
5:58 p.m.: An evacuation warning was issued for Road 600 between Road 415 and Road 812 due to the potential threat to life and property.
Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock are advised to leave immediately.
If you’re in need of evacuation assistance, call (559) 675-7770.
Indian Peak/Road 800 and Leland Gulch to Road 600 also were under mandatory evacuation orders. An evacuation order indicates an immediate threat to life.
At around 5:30 p.m. another evacuation order was announced in Madera County along Road 800 between roads 812 and 613.
Mariposa County said an order was in place for Indian Peak Road from the Madera County Line to the Usona Road intersection. The Sheriff’s Office there asked people to use Usona Road or Indian Peak Road to Highway 49 to exit the area.
Those in need of evacuation assistance were told to call 9 1 1.
Animal help
For those needing to help evacuating with animals, the Central California Animal Disaster Team advised owners to fill out and submit an animal evacuation request form.
For Madera County, the link to the form is here: https://www.maderacounty.com/government/animal-services/animal-evacuation-request-form
Madera County residents also can text “EVAC” to 833-545-0636 and a form for assistance will be sent to you.
For those in Mariposa County, Animal Services can be reached at (209) 966-3615.
Evacuation point announced
A temporary evacuation point was established at New Life Christian Fellowship church on Cole Road, according to the Red Cross.
A PG&E skycam captured a large plume of smoke coming from the mountains in the area. Social media posts also helped track the fire’s location and progress.
No cause had been determined, but the River Fire sparked amid California’s severe drought and a brutal weekend heat wave that was expected to peak Sunday.
At 5 p.m., it was 106 degrees in Mariposa, according to the National Weather Service. The Metcalf Gap area of Madera County, about midway between Mariposa and Oakhurst, reached a high of 115 about 4 p.m.
This story was originally published July 11, 2021 at 4:47 PM with the headline "LIVE UPDATES: River Fire near Coarsegold now at 4,000 acres. Here are areas under evacuation."