Residents east of Groveland being asked to evacuate for fast-moving fire

Residents east of Groveland are being asked to evacuate for a fast-moving forest fire that started Wednesday afternoon.

The Big Creek fire started at about 4:30 p.m. in a heavy timber area in the Groveland Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest, according to a press release.

It was first reported at 10 acres, but by 8 p.m., it had grown to 150 acres with a dangerous rate of spread and spotting, according to the release.

The areas of voluntary evacuations include Bucktail Drive, Hells Hollow Drive, Elmore Drive and Sprague Road east.

The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 120 at Sprague Road to Hells Hollow Road where travelers earlier in the day had were pulling over to take pictures of the fire.

Residents were advised to evacuate and the Groveland Community Hall – at 18720 Main Street – was opened as an evacuation center. It was unknown Wednesday evening how many structures were threatened or how many people were evacuated.

As of 8 p.m., 16 engines, three dozers, seven water tenders and seven hand crews were battling the blaze.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 8:43 PM with the headline "Residents east of Groveland being asked to evacuate for fast-moving fire."