Thursday’s coverage: Oakhurst-area fire evacuations include Calvin Crest

A brush fire in the mountains six miles above Oakhurst caused by a vehicle fire has grown to 538 acres, and campgrounds are evacuated as firefighters attempt to gain an upper hand on the blaze.

The Sky fire on the east side of Highway 41 was burning along Calvin Crest Road and onto U.S. Forest Service land, said Ron Eldridge, Madera County Fire division chief.

Friday at 9:30 a.m., the Sierra National Forest reported that there is no containment and that 300-400 homes are in danger. There were no reports of structures burned. The Forest Service said the fire has the potential to grow to as large as 1,000 acres in the next couple days.

The Forest Service said 300 personnel are fighting the fire, including three air tankers.

The fire has led to evacuations of campgrounds at Calvin Crest, Soquel and Greys Mountain, Lt. Bill Ward of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. And the Forest Service said Friday that Camp Redwood and Paradise Spring are in danger.

The community of Cedar Valley, which has about 75 homes, was under an evacuation advisory, Eldridge said.

Thursday evening, a group of neighbors off Road 632 and Country Club Drive, who declined to give their names, said they received numerous calls from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office with an evacuation advisory. They said they had bags packed just in case but weren’t too worried. Some of their other neighbors did leave, however.

The American Red Cross of Central California opened an evacuation center for residents at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Highway 41 in Oakhurst. The Central California Animal Disaster Team is sheltering pets at the same location.

Bill Ekhardt, director of finance and marketing for Calvin Crest Conferences, said that all of the counselors are staying overnight. There are 55 college-aged counselors, plus the permanent staff and their children. Altogether the group totals about 70.

Ekhardt said 38 campers were visiting the camp, all of whom were picked up by parents at the shelter.

Camp starts on Sunday, and he said he will start calling the parents of incoming campers Friday if the evacuation isn’t lifted.

The camp recruits counselors from all around the country through colleges and churches.

The fire is moving north to east from Calvin Crest Road and Road 632.

Firefighters were dispatched at 2:34 p.m. to the fire, which started on Sky Ranch Road one mile off of Highway 41 and Road 632.

North Fork fire

The Corrine fire south of North Fork grew overnight but was at 20% containment, officials said. The fire was burning toward the San Joaquin River canyon. On Friday morning, Cal Fire revised its estimated size to 500 acres.

Cal Fire said Friday morning that evacuations were happening on Ciatana Creek Road.

Because of the fire, two power stations in the area went off line Thursday night, cutting electricity from Bass Lake to North Fork.

Mariposa fire

Firefighters were battling the Triangle fire north of Bootjack in Mariposa County. At last report Friday morning, it had burned 60 acres and was 60% contained. All mandatory evacuations had been lifted.

The fire was reported about noon Thursday.

This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Thursday’s coverage: Oakhurst-area fire evacuations include Calvin Crest."