AHWAHNEE – The huge column of smoke over the Oakhurst area the past few days has been reduced to a light haze as firefighters on the Oak Fire continue to hold it at 390 acres. It is now 45 percent contained.
Crews have mopped up about 60 feet inside the line on the western and northern perimeters and will be working toward increasing that to 200 feet today.
On the eastern flank where air resources focused their efforts yesterday, there is dozer line three blades wide along much of that line.
Crews were pulled off the line in some areas overnight as hazard trees continue to drop. Fallers are working today to remove those hazards.
The Incident Command Post is at Station 12 in Oakhurst and Cal Fire is now in Unified Command with the U.S. Forest Service. The fire is burning in Madera and Mariposa Counties, and on the Sierra National Forest.
Federal resources are being housed at Batterson Work Station north of Oakhurst, and motorists should be aware of large equipment moving in and out of that station.
All mandatory evacuation orders on Road 620 have been reduced to pre-evacuation advisory status as of 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23. Road 620 opened to residents only last night.
Road Closures:
– Road 620 from Miami Creek to just west of Lonesome Oak Lane (Open to Residents Only)
– Miami Motorcycle Trails (Closed to All Traffic)
Mandatory Evacuation Orders:
– Community of Cedarbrook on Forest Service Road 5S12
– Community of Timberloft on Forest Service Road 6S09 and 6S14B
– Lone Sequoia Campground
Pre-Evacuation Advisories:
– Lonesome Oak Lane
– Buckeye Gap Trail
– North side of Road 620 between Lonesome Oak Lane and Badger Hollow Trail
– Road 620 (north side) between Road 628 and Mojo Lane
– Road 620 (north side) between Buckeye Gap Trail and Old Yosemite Road
– Old Yosemite Road
– Sunshine Mountain Road
Fire personnel are still active in the area. Please reduce speeds and drive with caution. Access will be limited to residents only in areas indicated and no other public access will be granted at this time.
The cancellation of additional evacuation orders is being evaluated based on a variety of factors including potential fire behavior and the re- establishment of crucial infrastructure.
A Red Cross Evacuation Center had been established at the Oakhurst Community Center located at 39800 Road 425B. However, with no one in need of their services, they have gone on standby. Please call 559-515-3974 if you require assistance. The Center will be reopened if needed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
