Mandatory evacuations lifted in Fresno County but wildfire burns on
WEDNESDAY EVENING UPDATE: Full containment is near as the burned areas remained at 29,667 acres, Cal Fire said. Containment is now at 80% with full containment is now expected for July 28.
TUESDAY EVENING UPDATE: The burned areas increased to 29,667 acres. Containment is now at 70% with expected full containment set for Friday. “Firefighters continue to construct and improve containment lines around the fire perimeter, and will remain on scene to provide fire suppression repair, remove firefighting equipment, and mop up and patrol over the next several days,” Cal Fire said.
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: The fire increased to 28,221 acres, Cal Fire said. Containment improved to 49%. As of noon evacuations and road closures have been lifted in all areas affected by the Mineral Fire both in Fresno and Monterey counties, including Highway 198. According to Cal Fire three more structures were destroyed. The expected date for full containment remains July 23 for the fire that started July 13.
SUNDAY EVENING: The fire increased to 26,721 acres, Cal Fire said. Containment improved to 47%. According to Cal Fire the expected date for full containment was moved back to July 23.
SUNDAY MORNING: The Mineral Fire has burned 25,000 acres, Cal Fire said. Containment remained at 35%, with expected full containment still targeted for July 21.
SATURDAY EVENING: The Mineral Fire has burned 24,600 acreage, Cal Fire said. Containment remained at 35%, with expected full containment July 21.
SATURDAY MORNING: Cal Fire upped the acreage burned by the Mineral Fire too 23,500 and increased estimated containment to 35%, with full containment predicted by July 21.
FRIDAY EVENING: The Mineral Fire has burned 23,000 acres and is 30% contained, Cal Fire said. A total of four structures have burned and there are 1,451 personnel assigned to fighting the fire.
Cal Fire said it was able to begin Friday burning vegetation in steep, hard-to-reach areas along the northern perimeter of the fire — backburning that is expected to help starve the wildfire of fuel.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON: Cal Fire added an evacuation warning for north of Los Gatos Creek Road, east of Derrick Road, west of South San Joaquin Rocks Lookout Road and south of Spanish Lake following Joaquin Ridge to Wright Mountain.
The Mineral Fire stood at 18,085 acres burned and 25% containment, Cal Fire said. Personnel on hand jumped to 938 and containment is predicted by July 24.
Cal Fire said investigators found that one structure burned on the first night of the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown
UPDATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has issued a new mandatory evacuation order:
“Following the direction of Cal Fire - Fresno County Fire, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a new evacuation order for the Mineral Fire. This includes all areas and residences along the area of Hwy. 198 between Parsons Road and the Monterey County line. The evacuation order extends north to Los Gatos Creek Road between Parsons / Mud Run Road and the Monterey County line.
“An Evacuation Order means there is immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.”
ORIGINAL STORY: A wildfire in western Fresno County has prompted a health caution in the central San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District said.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for areas closely affected by the Mineral Fire that broke out Monday afternoon and by Wednesday morning had burned 11,000 acres with 5% containment, Cal Fire said.
The community of Bingham Springs and residents on Los Gatos Creek Road from Indian Springs to Union Carbide Road are being asked to evacuate.
Road closures extend from Highway 198 from Firestone Avenue to the Monterey County Line.
Cal Fire said the fire is burning in difficult to access areas and in fuels with no fire history.
Cal Fire also added “containment efforts will be hampered due to extreme fire behavior which includes rapid uphill and wind-driven runs.”
No structures have burned, but Cal Fire said 50 structures are being threatened.
Resources include 38 fire engines, 13 water tenders, 10 helicopters, 24 dozers and 14 hand crews. A total of 555 personnel were on the scene as of the Wednesday morning report.
Smoky air
The wildfire can be seen in Fresno as the smoke can be seen from downtown as the sun set on Tuesday evening.
Smoke from several other wildfires surrounding the Valley also have the potential to affect air quality over the next few days, the air district said.
The air district issued a health caution, which will remain in place until the fires are extinguished.
Local air pollution officials caution Valley residents to reduce exposure to the particulate matter (PM) emissions by remaining indoors in affected areas.
The air district said the fire has the potential to impact the entire Valley including the counties of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Kings, Tulare and Kern.
This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 10:04 AM.
