Oak Fire updates: Yosemite-area wildfire slows as fight centers on Devil’s Gulch
Thousands of residents will begin to repopulate areas in and around the Oak Fire, even as it continues to burn in Mariposa County near Yosemite National Park.
It is the largest fire in the state this year.
But the growth of the fire has slowed significantly since it began last Friday. It ballooned to more than 15,000 acres in its first three days, but had an increase of less than 40 acres from Thursday, according to a Friday evening update from Cal Fire.
It has burned 19,221 acres.
Meanwhile, containment has grown to 48%. Full containment was expected by Aug. 6.
The cause remains under investigation. The estimated cost was up to $28.2 million Friday according to the National Interagency Fire Center as total personnel assigned to the firefight approached 4,000.
Cal Fire said Friday evening that the fire only grew on its northeast side during the day, reaching the bottom of Devil’s Gulch. “It’s referred to as Devil’s Gulch due to its incredibly steep, almost vertical terrain. Hand crews will be working a double shift to construct direct hand line in this hazardous terrain and helicopters will sling-load supplies in to support the operation.”
The fire map as of Friday morning showed containment lines to the south and west of the fire at Highway 140.
“Persistent drought, critically dry fuels, and tree mortality remain contributing factors to the fires spread,” Cal Fire said.
Fire crews continue to patrol communities looking for hot spots and providing structure defense when needed. Damage inspection continues. More than 160 buildings — including 107 homes — have been destroyed. Nearly 600 remain threatened.
Residents returning home
As of Thursday night, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s office reported that 2,783 residents were able to return to their homes.
However, 938 remained evacuated.
“We’ve made some huge gains and wins the last few days in getting people back in their homes and getting PG&E and everything turned back on,” Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said. “As we move forward we need to come to together as one community because what many are going to walk into, unfortunately, is what I call total devastation in some areas.”
PG&E representative Brandon Sanders said 3,193 people lost power during the fire.
But that number was now less than 750 customers.
Evacuation orders
Some evacuation orders have been lifted, but they remained in place Friday morning for:
- Carstens Road
- Buckingham Mountain Road
- Plumbar Creek Road
- Jerseydale Road and all side roads
- Darrah Road from Deer Springs Road with Deer Springs open to Triangle Road including all side roads
- Silva from Van Ness to Triangle
- Sweetwater Ridge/Mine area
- Feliciana Mountain Road
- Ferguson/Apperson Mine Road area
- Savage Lundy Trail
- Carter Road Including all side roads
- Hites Cove Road
- Footman Ridge area
- Devils Gulch area
Evacuation advisement
An evacuation advisement, meaning the threat of fire still exists and an evacuation may become necessary, was in place Friday morning for:
- Stumpfield Mountain Road from Highway 49 to the Madera County line including all side roads
- All of East Westfall including Smithers Road and Old Mill Road
- Chowchilla Mountain Road from Highway 49 to East Westfall
- Ponderosa Basin Subdivision including all of Chowchilla Mountain Road and all side roads, all of Harris Cutoff Road and all side roads; all of Harris Road and all side roads and Roads 5S25 and 4S04
- Highway 49 from Stumpfield Mountain Road to the Madera County line including all side roads (this includes Watt Road, Watt Road Extension, Harris Road, Kimble Road and all side roads
- Highway 140 from Ponderosa Way to Briceburg both sides of the road
- Devils Gulch to Signal Peak area including Chowchilla Mountain Road
- Tip Top Road including all side roads
- Ponderosa Way including all side roads to the Sierra National Forest boundary
- Lushmeadows Subdivision, not including Vista Lago and Monte Vista
- Triangle Road from Darrah Road to East Westfall
- All Highway 140 addresses including Cobey Lane
- Vista Lago Lane
- Monte Vista Lane
Advisement lifted
Fire advisements have been lifted for:
- All areas west of Highway 140
- Carleton Road including all side roads
- Allred Road including all side roads
- Morningstar Road including all side roads
- Cole Road including all side roads
- Highway 140 from Slaughterhouse Road to Triangle Road
- Highway 49 from Allred Road to Woodland Drive including all side roads
- Darrah Road from Highway 49 to Deer Springs including all side roads
Residents who have been affected by the Oak Fire can find support services at the Mariposa County High School gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Aug. 1-3. The school is at 5074 Old Highway.
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 11:19 AM.