MARIPOSA COUNTY — As firefighters continue to battle the fast-moving Detwiler Fire burning west of Mariposa, they faced another day of high temperatures, gusting winds and limited resources.
After a major move to the south this morning, the fire crossed Old Toll Road at about 10 a.m., and was pushing hard south towards Catheys Valley.
By 11:10 a.m, it had jumped Highway 140 just west of Mt. Bullion Cutoff, and evacuations have been ordered in that area.
A hard closure was implement on Highway 140 from Hornitors Road in Catheys Valley, to Highway 49.
At about 11:30, the fire jumped Highway 49 near Mt. Bullion, and at noon, CHP was requested to shut down Highway 49N on the west end of Mariposa.
The Mariposa Airport was shut down this morning, and Operations reported they needed a strike team and more dozers at Mt. Bullion and Highway 49 to protect the airport, and engines to assist with structure protection on Mt. Bullion Road.
Helicopter operations were moved from the airport to Merced, and the heavies to Castle Air Force Base.
With heavy smoke impeding air operations, and the fire moving fast to the south, the VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) was requested to lay down retardant to keep the fire away from structures along Highway 140.
We will update here as more information comes in.
