MARIPOSA COUNTY — Though residents have been encouraged by the recent news from the Detwiler Fire, it is not over by any means.
Air tankers continued to respond to reports of flare-ups across the fire’s perimeter today, as the winds picked up and fire activity increased.
Just before 4 p.m. air tankers were requested to deal with a breakout on the northeast section of the fire in the Dogtown/ Texas Hill area.
Though these areas are still under an evacuation order, fire officials asked the Sheriff’s Office to issue a Nixle alert warning.
At about 4:15 p.m., the slop-over was reported at 150 to 200 acres, and additional crews and strike teams were ordered up to respond, along with two VLATs.
Tankers en route gave an ETA over the fire of 5:10 p.m.
At 5:22 p.m., the request was made to send available dozers toward Greeley Hill for staging.
At 5:52 p.m., the size of the fire outside the perimeter was estimated at 300 acres.
At 5:57 p.m., three more strike teams (15 engines) were sent to the area of the break-out.
The community meeting scheduled for this evening in Greeley Hill was cancelled due to the increased fire activity in the area.
The fire is now estimated at 78,900 acres and is 60 percent contained. Those numbers will change after tonight’s mapping flight.
Several firefighters were transported from the firelines today with unknown medical issues.
There are currently 5,013 personnel assigned to the incident including 442 engines, 63 water tenders, 118 hand crews, 82 dozers, 20 helicopters and air tankers as available.
Residents of most evacuated areas were allowed to return home yesterday. For a complete list of evacuations and road closures, click here.
Evacuation orders remain in place for:
- All of Schilling Road and all feeder roads
- Dogtown Road from Greeley Hill Road to Bowers Cave
- All of Texas Hill Road
- Greeley Hill Road from Dogtown Road (Coulterville) to Dogtown Road near Bowers Cave and all side roads to the south
- Bull Creek Road from Greeley Hill Road to the Merced River
Three people were arrested today after being caught with equipment believed to be stolen from the fire operations.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
For the most recent detailed maps of the fire click here. We will update with new maps after tonight’s fly-over.
