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The Detwiler Fire continues to burn in Mariposa county near Yosemite National Park, causing road closures and evacuations. The fire has almost tripped in size over the past three days, growing from 25,000 acres to its current size of more than 70,000 acres. Currently, the fire is only 10% contained. Firefighters have called the fire “extreme and aggressive,” and Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency.
Winds have moved smoke from the fire north, directly into the Lake Tahoe basin. Check out this satellite video below to see why the Tahoe air quality hasn’t been so great over the past couple of days.
“The Eastern portion of El Dorado County is under an AIR QUALITY ALERT and a DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), although the majority of the County may see effects of the smoke from the Detwiler Fire in Mariposa County.
Persons with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling smoke particles. Keep windows and doors closed to avoid letting the smoke inside buildings.
Due to elevated particulate pollution levels, children, the elderly, people with heart or lung problems, or people with current illnesses such as the flu, are advised to stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities in the impacted areas.
For the latest Air Quality Index information please visit: www.airnow.gov” – El Dorado County Air Quality Management District
Cal Fire has issued both mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation advisories:
Evacuation Orders- South County Mount Bullion Ridge Rd from HWY 49N to HWY 140 and ALL feeder roads, Old Toll Rd between Corbett Creek Rd and HWY 49N including Corbett Creek Rd., Mount Gaines Rd to No.9 Road including No.9 Road; HWY 140 from Hornitos Rd. to Hwy 49S and ALL feeder roads on both sides, Yaqui Gulch Rd. from HWY 140 to Old HWY and ALL feeder roads on both sides, Old HWY from 49S to School House Rd. and ALL feeder roads on both sides, Buckeye Rd. to Ben Hur Rd. and ALL feeder roads on both sides, Ben Hur Rd. from Buckeye Rd. to Hwy 49S, all of Mariposa Town, HWY 140 from 49N to East Whitlock Rd. and ALL feeder roads, East Whitlock Rd from HWY 140 to Mosher Rd. and All feeder roads to the West, Hornitos Rd. from HWY 140 to Mount Gaines Rd. and ALL feeder roads on both side (This includes the community of Whispering Oak), West Whitlock from 49N to Mosher Rd. and ALL feeder roads on both sides. Colorado Rd. from E. Whitelock to Rancheria Creek Rd. and ALL feeder roads. Rancheria Creek Rd, ALL of Sherlock Rd and ALL of Telegraph Rd.
Evacuation Orders-North County HWY 49N from Schilling Rd. to Oakridge Rd. and ALL feeder roads, HWY 132 from HWY 49N to Windy Point, the town of Coulterville, Dogtown Rd. from Greeley Hill Rd. to Texas Hill Rd., ALL of Texas Hill Rd., Schilling Rd from HWY 49N to Texas Hill Rd.,Greeley Hill Rd. from Dogtown Rd. (Coulterville) to Dogtown Rd. near Bowers Cave. All roads between Greeley Hill Rd and Texas Hill Rd.
Evacuation Advisories NORTH COUNTY: HWY 49N from Oakridge Rd. to the County Line. All roads north of Greeley Hill Rd. to the Mariposa County line, to include Dexter Rd., Cueno Rd., Smith Station Rd. to HWY 120 and ALL feeder roads, Buck Meadows Rd. north of Greeley Hill Rd. to HWY 12, Old Yosemite Rd and Bull Creek Rd.
SOUTH COUNTY: Hwy 49S from Ben Hur Rd to Indian Peak Rd and ALL feeder roads, Ashworth to Silver Lane and ALL feeder roads, Silver Bar to Ashworth and ALL feeder roads, Indian Peak to Oak Grove Rd and ALL feeder roads, Oak Grove Rd from Miwuk Rd to Oak Grove School Rd and ALL feeder roads, Allred Rd from 49S to Morningstar Lane and ALL feeder roads, Morningstar Lane to Carlton Rd and ALL feeder roads, Carlton Rd to Silva Rd and ALL feeder roads, Silva Rd to Hwy 49 South and ALL feeder roads, Bear Valley Rd- All homes from Exchequer Rd to Hornitos Rd, Hornitos Town Area, HWY 140 from Briceburg to E. Whitlock, Colorado Rd from HWY 140 to Rancheria Creek Rd., Oak Rd and Yosemite Oak Rd.
CalTrans officials have closed a number of highways, including SR-140, one of the main routes leading into Yosemite.
**Update 7/20; 8:00 a.m.**
Mariposa County- State Route 132, 49 and State Route 140 Remain Closed Due To FireState Route 132 remains closed from SR49/Coulterville to Horseshoe Bend Road. SR-49 remains closed from SR-120, north of Coulterville, to Triangle Road, south of the town of Mariposa. SR-140 remains closed from School House Road, west of Catheys Valley, to Triangle Road, east of the town of Mariposa. It is not known when the highways will reopen at this time.
The fire started on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 3:56 p.m. and is currently at 70,096 acres in size with 10% containment achieved according to CalFire.
The acreage increased due to an increase in fire activity late yesterday afternoon. Overnight, fire crews continued their work to establish and reinforce containment lines. The fire area is seeing poor humidity recoveries at night allowing the fire to remain very active throughout this time. The fire is burning in drought stricken chaparral and in an area of severe tree mortality. Damage assessment crews are on scene to evaluate and inspect the area.
Power lines supplying power to Yosemite National Park continue to be threatened.
If you have questions about the fire, please call the Fire Information Line at (844) MMU-FIRE.
-CalTrans District 10 Facebook
Yosemite National Park, approximately 30 miles from the fire, is still open. However, smoke has affected air quality and officials advised visitors via Twitter to reduce outdoor activity in the park.
