NORTH FORK – The Willow Fire is now estimated at 5,502 acres and is 70 percent contained. Fire crews will continue mopping up hot spots and improving finelines. Smoke can still be seen within the fire as interior islands and heavy down material smolder.
While 450 structures were threatened, not a single one was lost. Six minor injuries have been reported. As of today, 1,764 personnel are assigned to the fire, and demobilization of resources will continue throughout the week as crews and equipment are made available to other fires across the region.
Crews have now begun fire line suppression repair, which involves repairing or improving land and natural and cultural resources damaged during fire suppression and line construction. Those repairs can vary depending upon the intended use of the affected area after the fire.
The mandatory evacuation order was lifted for Central Camp Road residents today as of 8 a.m., according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Central Camp Road will be restricted to residents only and they must access via Beasore Road at Bass Lake. The lower half of Central Camp Road will remain closed to Road 274. Residents will have to show proper identification at the road closure to be allowed back into their homes.
Cascadel evacuations were lifted as of 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. Cascadel Road (Road 233) is still closed to the public. Residents must show ID.
The Douglas Ranger Station Road and Willow Canyon Road mandatory evacuation remains in place at this time.
Willow Canyon Road and Autumn Ridge Road (Forest Road 8S09) remain closed until further notice. In addition, Gaggs, Whiskers, and Whiskey Falls campgrounds are closed.
Communities surrounding the Willow Fire will continue to see smoke throughout the day and into the evening. For more information about the smoke impact, please check the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
The Willow Fire started on July 25 and was reportedly human-caused.
The American Red Cross of the Central Valley has opened a shelter to assist residents affected by the ongoing Willow Fire at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B.
