Update: Containment increases on Pedro Fire burning in Tuolumne, Mariposa counties
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.
Update, 7:55 a.m. Aug. 1: Cal Fire reported Thursday morning that the fire has not grown, while containment has: to 15%. In addition to the destroyed structure already reported, the update says three others have been damaged.
Original story: As the Pedro Fire burning in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties has grown, so have the resources to combat it.
Cal Fire reported midafternoon Wednesday that the blaze had grown to 3,647 acres, up from roughly 100 acres when it broke out about 24 hours earlier.
Reported containment has held steady at 7% for most of Wednesday. Nearly 800 personnel — more than doubled from Tuesday night — are attached to the fire, including 40 engines, 18 dozers and 16 water tenders.
“Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow,” Cal Fire said on its Pedro Fire page.
The wildfire ignited around 12:50 p.m. Tuesday near Highway 132 and Piney Creek Road in the Coulterville area.
“The fire exhibits a moderate to dangerous rate of spread,” according to Cal Fire. “There is an active threat to structures and power lines, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.”
One structure has been destroyed as of Wednesday afternoon, and about 350 were threatened. No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
The blaze is east of Don Pedro Reservoir. Ryan Reis, recreation director for the Don Pedro Recreation Agency, told McClatchy on Wednesday afternoon, “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.”
Evacuation orders are in place for the Hunters Valley Area in addition to the evacuation orders that were put in place on Tuesday for Piney Creek Road and Arboleda Road.
There are evacuation warnings 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, including the Horseshoe Bend Rec Area. Evacuation warnings have also been issued to the Barrett’s Cove boat launching area.
Evacuation shelters have been set up at the New Life Christian Fellowship, 5089 Cole Road in Mariposa. Small pets are welcome if the pet is with an owner staying at the shelter.
An evacuation shelter has also been set up at McCay Hall, 2820 Highway 140 in Catheys Valley. There is a large animal shelter established at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, located at 5007 Fairgrounds Road in Mariposa.
Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow, according to Cal Fire.
A fire information line has been established at 844-668-3473.
This story was originally published July 31, 2024 at 5:29 PM.