MARIPOSA COUNTY–The Oak Fire has been burning in Mariposa County for a week. Fire officials are reporting that 106 residences have been destroyed. While many evacuations have been lifted and people are returning home, others have no home to return to. Even more are returning to their properties to find everything burned around their homes. A wasteland where they once had their own “slices of heaven” as one resident described it.
The fire is being managed under unified command between the CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit, the Sierra National Forest, and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department.
OAK FIRE LOCAL ASSISTANCE CENTER: August 1st through August 3rd, 9:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M at Mariposa High School Gymnasium, 5074 Old Highway N, Mariposa, CA 95338. This is a multi-agency support center to provide assistance to ANY residents impacted by the Oak Fire.
OAK FIRE INFORMATION LINE – 844-668-3473
Current Situation
Fire crews, along with cooperating agencies, are working around the clock to repopulate the areas within the fire perimeter. There was minimal fire growth overnight and containment increased by 6% to 45%. The total acreage burned is now 19,208.
Crews continue to work around communities patrolling for hot spots and providing structure defense. Firefighters are building and improving direct fire line in extremely steep, rugged, and difficult to access terrain. Persistent drought, critically dry fuels, and tree mortality remain contributing factors to the fires spread. Damage inspection will continue until all areas of the fire have been assessed.
At the community meeting held in the Mariposa County High School auditorium last night, Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese assured residents everything is being done to get them back to their homes as quickly as possible. He wanted the residents to know that their safety is the top priority for his team and the fire team. He also wanted the community to know that all homeowners that have lost homes will be notified in person and that the addresses will NOT be posted online until everything had been assessed and notifications are complete.
Mariposa County Sheriff/Coroner Jeremy Briese
What many are going to be walking into, unfortunately, is what I would call total devastation. –Mariposa County Sheriff/ Coroner Jeremy Briese
Road Closures
• Triangle Road from Hwy 140 to Darrah Rd including all side roads
• Jerseydale Rd including all side roads
• Silva Road from Van Ness Drive to Triangle Road
• Darrah Road from Deer Springs to Triangle Rd
• Carstens Road including all side road
Evacuation Orders
Evacuations orders are being updated throughout the day now as more areas are opened up to residents. The most current orders are available on the Evacuation Map.
Oak Fire Public Information Map 7.29.2022
Firefighter Sergio Porras mops up hot spots while battling the Oak Fire in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County, Calif., on Monday. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
What We Can Expect
Fire managers expect minimal growth on the fire over the next 72 hours. Fire activity will be moderate and continue to slowly creep and smolder in the undergrowth in most areas as crews continue to attend to hot spots and build direct fire lines. Helicopter crews will be on hand to coordinate with ground crews to keep the fire cooled down in areas that are uncontrolled at this time.
HELPFUL LINKS
Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office
Pacific, Gas and Electric (PG&E)
