MARIPOSA COUNTY – The Hunters Fire, burning just west of Highway 49 near Lake McClure, has now grown to 900 acres with 20% containment. The blaze began as a structure fire at 3:33 p.m. on Monday, May 26, and quickly spread into surrounding vegetation.
The fire is burning in rolling hills on the south shore of the lake and nearly doubled in size overnight.
Residents along Hunters Valley Road to Bear Valley Road, including Hunters Valley Access Road and Detwiler Road have been evacuated.
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. If you require evacuation assistance for large animals and livestock, please call 209-966-3615.
Dozens of 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 injury was reported last night when a firefighter suffered a twisted ankle.
One structure has burned and about one hundred more are threatened. No estimated date for total containment has been given at this time.
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)
