YOSEMITE – FIRE ADVISORY: Wawona residents and visitors should GET SET and prepare their home and family for the possibility of having to evacuate due to the Creek Fire burning on the Sierra National Forest. This incident may require evacuation in 24 hours or more if the threat increases.
An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and / or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets / livestock should leave now.
The fast moving Creek Fire has now consumed over 45,000 acres with 0% containment and more than 3000 structures threatened. The fire which started near the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake, moved very quickly prompting evacuations in Big Creek, Huntington Lake, Camp Edison and Shaver Lake areas.
Early Saturday afternoon the fire moving north crossed the San Joaquin River into Madera County forcing evacuations for Kinsman Flat, Cascadel Woods, Fish Creek, Rock Creek and Mammoth Pool. Many campers near Wagner’s Store and Mammoth Pool Campground were forced to shelter in place and advised to take shelter in the lake if necessary. With assistance from the California Office of Emergency Services and the California Army National Guard, 207 people were safely evacuated and assessed for medical needs.
As the fire quickly moved north more and more evacuations were ordered including Clover Meadow, surrounding campgrounds, Arnold Meadow, Minarets Work Center, Chiquito Campground, Beasore and Beasore Rd north to Clover Meadow.
The Red Cross has set up temporary evacuation shelters at the Oakhurst Community Center 39800 Fresno Flats Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644 and Foothill Elementary School 29147 Auberry Rd, Prather, CA 93651. The North Fork Elementary evacuation shelter is still pending. We will update as more temporary shelters are set up.
The Central CA Animal Disaster Team is aiding in animal evacuations in coordination with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Animal Services and Red Cross. Here is information on the evacuation and sheltering of animals:
Small Companion Animal Sheltering: Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Fresno Flats Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644 . They are following COVID-19 protocols, please wear a mask when entering the shelter and maintain social-distancing.
Large Animals: Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds. Please contact CCADT at 559-433-9663 prior to taking your animals there so rodeo ground management can be notified to meet you.
All evacuations and closures remain in effect with no estimated time frame.
The fire burned actively overnight with a crew of more than 800 and they will continue to be challenged today by steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel loading and high temperatures.
For ongoing information click on Creek Fire Update
Click here for a topo map of the burn area
For the safety of fire crews, and the public who are leaving the area weekend visitors are asked to make alternate plans. Shaver Lake is closed.
More information will be provided when obtained as this is an active initial attack and resources are committed to a full suppression engagement of the Creek Fire
