MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Hunters Fire, which started yesterday afternoon at 3:33 p.m. in Mariposa County has now grown to 1,300 acres, and is still at just 20% containment.
The fire is burning just west of Highway 49 near Lake McClure, between Mariposa and Coulterville. The blaze began as a structure fire on Monday, May 26, and quickly spread into surrounding vegetation.
So far four injuries have been reported to firefighters – one suffered a twisted ankle, another sustained a laceration to the arm, and there have been two cases of general heat exhaustion.
Evacuations remain in place along Hunters Valley Road to Bear Valley Road, including Hunters Valley Access Road and Detwiler Road. Road closures are in effect for Hunters Valley Road at Bear Valley Road and Cotton Creek Road at Bear Valley Road.
Two evacuation centers have been set up, one at McKay Hall, 2820 Highway 140 in Catheys Valley, and a second has now been established by the Red Cross at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, just south of Mariposa on Highway 49.
Large animals are being accepted at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, and dogs and cats are being housed at McKay Hall in Catheys Valley.
The Red Cross is requesting that you PLEASE BRING FOOD for your animals when delivering them to evacuation centers.
If you require evacuation assistance for large animals and livestock, please call 209-966-3615.
Dozens of local agencies are cooperating on the fire including Cal Fire, Mariposa County Fire, the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Madera County Fire, Mariposa County Sheriff, the California Department of Corrections and the CHP.
One structure has burned and about one hundred more are threatened. No estimated date for total containment has been given at this time.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Resources currently assigned to the fire:
Total Fire Personnel: 497
Total Fire Engines: 54
Total Fire crews: 18
Total Airtankers: 2
Total Helicopters: 2
Total Dozers: 10
Total Water Tenders: 11
For ongoing updates and information, call 209-966-1133.
(Photo by Diane N Clyde Derickson)
