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Hot weather challenges crews battling wildfire near Coalinga. How fast is it spreading?
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 UPDATE: 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 UPDATE: The Mineral Fire was at 25,000 acres and 35% containment with 1,578 people fighting it, Cal Fire said. More than 1,300 firefighters are working to battle the Mineral Fire burning in the Diablo Range hills of western Fresno County southwest of Coalinga.
The size of the fire, which started Monday afternoon in the area of Highway 198 and Mineral Springs Road, was estimated Saturday morning at 23,500 acres and has spurred the evacuation of residents from the surrounding mountain areas between Coalinga and the Monterey County line to a temporary evacuation center at West Hills College, according to Cal Fire.
The fire has more than doubled in size since Wednesday. Cal Fire commanders expect to have it fully encircled by containment lines by July 21.
Four structures have been destroyed and another 60 are threatened by fire, the state fire agency reported. No injuries have been reported among residents or firefighters. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Air tankers are being used when weather allows to fight the fire, along with 11 helicopters, 110 engines, 38 bulldozers and 45 water tankers. Fire crews report that the fire is burning in areas of steep terrain that are hard to reach. The fire’s behavior is described as extreme with rapid uphill burns and wind-driven spread.
Low humidity and temperatures in the 90s were expected to challenge firefighters on Saturday.
Highway 198 is closed from Firestone Avenue just south of Coalinga to the Monterey County line.
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