Update: Wildfire near Lake Don Pedro jumps 1,000 acres more. Reservoir recreation unaffected
8:45 a.m. update Aug. 1: Expansion of the Pedro Fire was slowed in the past 24 hours and fire crews increased their containment of the blaze.
Cal Fire reported it grew to 3,793 acres and was 15% contained. Three structures, of unknown type, were damaged and one was destroyed.
Evacuation orders were reduced to evacuation warnings for the Hunters Valley Area (Hunters Valley Road and Detwiller Road), Golden Hills Mobile Home and RV Park and Spring Gulch.
Road closures included Hunters Valley Road, Piney Creek Road past the Golden Hills Mobile Home and RV Park, Spring Gulch and Detwiller Road. Residents are the only ones with permission to access Hunters Valley, Spring Gulch and Detwiller.
Cal Fire recommends avoiding these areas as much as possible due to the heavy fire and emergency traffic as their suppression efforts continue.
“If you must be in the area, please drive with extreme caution.” reads Cal Fire’s message.
3:20 p.m. update: The latest report from Cal Fire has the Pedro Fire at 3,647 acres and still 7% contained.
The Modesto Bee received word from Ryan Reis, recreation director for the Don Pedro Recreation Agency: “Currently, Don Pedro Reservoir is fully open for recreation. The fire is primarily affecting our neighbors to the southeast at Lake McClure, in Mariposa County.
“While we welcome visitors to Lake Don Pedro, wildfire situations can change from day to day and individuals may want to check air quality conditions before planning a day at the lake.
“For the most up-to-date information, we encourage visitors to follow us on social media or check out our website at www.donpedrolake.com.
1:16 p.m. update: The 1:16 p.m. update by Cal Fire changed little. The fire still is reported at 2,727 acres and 7% containment, but one building (no word on its nature) has been destroyed.
8:15 a.m. update July 31: Cal Fire reports that the Pedro Fire burning in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties has grown to 2,727 acres and is 7% contained.
As of Tuesday night, 350 structures were threatened. There were no reports of structures destroyed or damaged, or of injuries.
The blaze is burning in grass and brush and “exhibits a moderate to dangerous rate of spread,” Cal Fire reports.
There are no shelters open. Shelters were established but were closed due to a lack of evacuees, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Christina Barkdull. Two shelters can be reopened if needed.
Evacuation orders for for Piney Creek Road and Arbolada Drive east of the Lake Don Pedro are still in effect. A map of evacuation zones can be found on the Pedro Fire’s portal on Cal Fire’s website.
An information line was set up for residents to call at 844-668-3473.
Original story: The wildfire started Tuesday, July 30, 2024. A previous version of this story had incorrectly stated Wednesday.
A wildfire near Lake Don Pedro about 40 miles east of Modesto had burned several hundred acres Tuesday as Mariposa County sheriff’s deputies were evacuating residents.
Cal Fire reported the Pedro fire had burned 600 acres of grass and brush as of a 5:17 p.m. update and was a threat to 500 structures, as well as power lines. The fire, which was reported at 12:49 p.m. Tuesday, was at zero containment. It is burning in both Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, and the rate of spread is listed as moderate/dangerous.
Evacuation orders were in place for Piney Creek Road and Arbolada Drive east of the Lake Don Pedro and evacuation warnings had been issue for the north side of Highway 132 from Merced Falls to Jones Road and the south side of Highway 132 from Jones Road to Horseshoe Bend.
The Mariposa Sheriff’s Department reported that deputies were evacuating residents.
The American Red Cross had opened an emergency shelter at the New Life Christian Fellowship, 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, and Mariposa County Health & Human Services opened a temporary evacuation point at the Coulterville VFW Hall, 5019 Main St.
Three hundred personnel are attached to the fire, Cal Fire reports. The response includes 22 engines, five helicopters and six dozers.
The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 5:27 PM.
