Evacuation shelters set up as firefighters continue battling Pedro Fire near Mariposa
Fire crews have more than doubled overnight as they continue to battle the Pedro Fire n Mariposa and Tuolumne counties near Lake Don Pedro on Wednesday.
The wildfire, which ignited around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Highway 132 and Piney Creek Road in the Coulterville area, has burned 3,647 acres and 7% contained as of 3:01 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced.
“The fire exhibits a moderate to dangerous rate of spread,” according to Cal Fire. “There is an active threat to structures and power lines, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.”
One structure has been destroyed. No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Evacuation orders are in place for the Hunters Valley Area in addition to the evacuation orders that were put in place on Tuesday for Piney Creek Road and Arboleda Road.
There are evacuation warnings for the northside of Highway 132 from Merced Falls to Jones Road and the southside of Highway 132 from Jones Road to Horseshoe Bend, including the Horseshoe Bend Rec Area. Evacuation warnings have also been issued to the Barrett’s Cove boat launching area.
Evacuation shelters have been set up at the New Life Christian Fellowship, which is located at 5089 Cole Road in Mariposa. Small pets are welcome if the pet is with an owner staying at the shelter.
An evacuation shelter has also been set up at McCay Hall, located at 2820 Highway 140 in Catheys Valley. There is a large animal shelter established at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, located at 5007 Fairgrounds Road in Mariposa.
There are currently 788 firefighting personnel battling the blaze. The equipment being used includes 40 fire engines, two helicopters, 18 bulldozers and 16 water tenders.
Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are also flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow, according to Cal Fire.
A fire information line has been established at 844-668-3473.
Firefighters had to battle the French Fire, which burned more than 900 acres and damaged 12 structures in Mariposa County earlier this month.
