NORTH FORK — Evacuated residents of North Fork’s Cascadel area will be happy to hear that the Mission Fire did not grow in size overnight and is holding at 1,035 acres. The fire is now 25 percent contained.
There are currently 1,409 personnel assigned to the incident including 146 engines, 25 hand crews, 18 dozers, 11 water tenders and 9 helicopters.
Limited access, heavy fuels and steep terrain continue to challenge firefighters, but they made excellent progress overnight.
On the south and west corner of the fire, hand and dozer lines are tied in and hose lays established. Firefighters are working to mop-up 200 feet inside the line.
Most of the fire activity is on the north, into the Sierra National Forest.
An infrared flight last night identified several hot spots inside the line on the west side of the fire, and crews will work on those today.
Firefighters continue their work of protecting homes and making sure every hot spot throughout the community has been extinguished.
Fallers are also in the area identifying and removing any trees that pose a hazard to homes, roadways or power lines.
The weather has been cooperating nicely with temperatures below seasonal norms and good humidity recovery. No thunderstorms are in the forecast, and there should be clear sunny skies.
PG&E plans to re-energize power lines today so that everyone will have electricity when they’re allowed to return home. Just when that will happen is not yet known, but we will be standing by for any word from officials and get that out immediately.
Closures and evacuations:
Road 225 has been reopened.
Cascadel Woods, Cascadel Heights and all of Road 233 remain under a mandatory evacuation, and Road 233 is closed.
Douglas Ranger Station Road is also closed and evacuated.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation advisory for Benedict Meadow. This includes road 7S07. Sheriff deputies are patrolling the area to notify any campers of the evacuation advisory.
An incident information line has been set up at 1-844-668-3473.
The Mission Fire started on Sunday, Sept. 3, just after 1 p.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
