A new wildfire in California, called the Oak Fire, broke out in Mariposa County on Friday. The fire, located just outside of Yosemite, is growing at an alarming rate.
By Saturday morning, CalFire reported the fire had reached 6,555 acres — up from 1,600 acres on Friday — making it the largest California wildfire currently burning. The fire is 0% contained.
The fire first started on July 22 at 2:10 p.m. near Highway 140 and Carstens Road, near the town of Midpines, a small mountain community about 30 miles outside Yosemite National Park. There are currently road closures.
Ten structures have already been lost and another 2,000 are currently threatened, CalFire said. As of 8:10 a.m. Saturday, more than 400 personnel from 11 different crews were on the scene helping contain the fire or assisting with evacuation efforts. There were no reports of firefighters or civilians being injured or killed.
A firefighter stands outside a home while battling the Oak Fire on July 23, 2022 near Mariposa, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A number of communities in the area, including Mariposa Pines and Lushmeadows, have been evacuated. Residents should follow this link to see if they are under an evacuation order.
Evacuation centers have been set up at Mariposa County Elementary (5044 Jones St, Mariposa, CA 95338) and Sierra Foothill Charter School (4952 School House Rd, Catheys Valley, CA 95306).
#OakFire evacuation updates. Map shows cities and towns in #MariposaCounty. The official fire briefing ends soon and updates will follow … throughout the day.
Check the map for updates: pic.twitter.com/sovvVENLu7
— Mariposa Co. GIS 🌎 (@MariposaCo_GIS) July 23, 2022
Difficult firefighting conditions are an additional cause for concern. In its report on the incident Saturday morning, CalFire said “explosive fire behavior is a challenge for firefighters.”
Extremely hot and dry weather is forecast for the Midpine area throughout the week, with highs approaching 100 degrees for at least the next five days.
By Saturday, a massive pyrocumulus cloud that stretched at least 20,000 feet into the sky had formed over the fire. The plume could be seen as far away as Reno, Nevada — about 120 miles from the flames.
Pretty amazing we were able to briefly see the Pyrocumulus cloud from the #OakFire at our office here in North Reno (middle of first photo). The fire broke out this afternoon west of Yosemite in Mariposa County. We are about 120 north of the fire! #cawx #nvwx pic.twitter.com/84GNnd4vvs
— NWS Reno (@NWSReno) July 23, 2022
This is the third fire to break out in Mariposa County in July. The Washburn Fire in Yosemite, which has burned 4,856 acres and threatened the famous Mariposa Grove, started on July 7 and is currently 79% contained. The Water Fire started July 18 and burned 421 acres around Highway 140 and Agua Fria Road near Mariposa; contains 89%.
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A home burns as the Oak Fire moves through the area on July 23, 2022 near Mariposa, California.
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A home burns as the Oak Fire moves through the area on July 23, 2022 near Mariposa, California.
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Firefighters mop up a hot spot as the Oak Fire moves through the area on July 23, 2022 near Mariposa, California.
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A home burns as the Oak Fire moves through the area on July 23, 2022 near Mariposa, California.
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Smoke from the fire is not expected to affect the Bay Area this weekend.
This is a story in progress and updates will be added as they become available.
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