Update at 6:44 p.m.: CAL FIRE reports that fire crews have gained 15 percent containment while the acreage is holding at 233 on the Colorado Fire burning near Midpines in Mariposa County. They also noted that some evacuation orders have been lifted and warnings added. Here is the latest evacuation information from the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office (click here for an evacuation map):
MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER:
- Octagon Area
EVACUATION WARNINGS:
- Colorado Rd—from Hwy 140 to Rancheria Creek
- Buffalo Gulch Rd
- Rancheria Creek Rd- RESIDENTS ONLY
- Briceburg including all campgrounds- RESIDENTS ONLY
- Savage’s Trading Post along Hwy 140
ROAD CLOSURES:
- Hwy 140 from Briceburg to the Bug Hostel
Original post at 2:50 p.m.: Mariposa County, CA – CAL FIRE reports that crews have gained 10 percent containment on the Colorado Fire burning near Midpines in Mariposa County and that two firefighters have been injured battling the blaze.
No further information was released regarding their injuries. The fire’s acreage has also been reduced from 250 to 232.5 acres due to accurate mapping from remote sensing aircraft. A section of Highway 140 into Yosemite National Park remains closed.
“Crews continue to make good progress despite the steep terrain and limited access. Throughout the night, helicopter operations were successful while crews constructed and reinforced containment lines. The dozer line from the Briceburg fire has been reopened to assist with containment efforts,” relayed fire officials.
As we reported yesterday (9/1), the CHP reported a tour bus and a cement truck collided on Highway 140 just east of Midpines, starting the fire, which spread to roadside brush. There were no injuries reported on the bus. Evacuation orders and warnings are in place, with 45 structures threatened. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office provided these details (click here for an evacuation map):
MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER:
- Rancheria Creek Rd
- Briceburg (including all campgrounds)
- Octagon Area
EVACUATION WARNINGS:
- Colorado Rd—from Hwy 140 to Rancheria Creek
- Buffalo Gulch Rd
- Savage’s Trading Post along Hwy 140
EVACUATION SHELTER: New Life Calvary Chapel—5089 Cole Rd, Mariposa. Small animals accepted.
LARGE ANIMAL EVACUATIONS: Call 209-966-3615, option 1.
ROAD CLOSURES:
- Hwy 140 from Briceburg to the Bug Hostel
- Rancheria Creek Rd.
- POWER OUTAGE:
PG&E has turned off power in the affected area. Currently, 20 customers are impacted.
Total resources on scene include 126 personnel, 14 engines, 3 water tenders, 4 helicopters, 2 dozers, 3 hand crews, and 15 others.
