Update: Oak Fire Is 20% Contained

Next Day’s information is here and here. More details about what happened this day are in the news story Oak Fire Update, Anecdotes and here.

Update at 6pm: CAL Fire reports that the Oak Fire is 100 acres and 20% contained. Spokesperson Lisa Williams reports that one residential structure and two outbuildings have been destroyed. Big Hill Road will remain closed tonight from Old Oak Ranch Road to the Twain Harte Mobile Home Park. 196 firefighters are now on scene.

A special thanks to the several community news partners that have e-mailed photos. Pictures can be sent to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.

Update at 5:35pm: The Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services reports that an evacuation center will be open throughout the night at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.

It is being staffed by officials from the American Red Cross. The Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services reports that some residents near the fire area, in Cedar Ridge, have been placed under an advisory evacuation notice. In addition, the Sierra Outdoor School and the Old Oak Youth Ranch remain evacuated.

CHP Officer Nick Norton reports that Big Hill Road is closed tonight from Old Oak Ranch Road to the Sierra Twain Harte Mobile Home Park, near Robertson Ranch Road. Anyone that wants to pass through the closure area will need to show ID, or some proof of residence.

Update at 4:45pm: CAL Fire reports that the Oak Fire remains around 100 acres.

125 firefighters are now assigned to the incident in the Cedar Ridge area, near Old Oak Ranch Road. There are 11 engines, three water tenders, four hand crews, an air attack, two air tankers and some helicopters. Agencies assisting the fight include the Stanislaus National Forest, Tuolumne County Fire Department, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office and PG&E.

One structure has been destroyed. It is not immediately clear if it was a home or outbuilding. One firefighter has sustained a heat related injury.

PG&E now reports that 62 customers in the Cedar Ridge area have lost electricity. Those customers are expected to be restored later tonight.

CAL Fire reports that the Sierra Outdoor School and Old Oak Youth Ranch remain evacuated.  The CHP says that Big Hill Road remains closed from Columbia to Twain Harte. Pack Trail Road, which turns into Old Oak Ranch Road, is also closed.

Update at 4:05pm: CAL Fire spokesperson Lisa Williams reports that the “Oak Fire” near Old Oak Ranch Road has now burned 100 acres. One structure has been destroyed. It is not immediately clear if it was a home or outbuilding. One firefighter has sustained a heat related injury, according to CAL Fire.

PG&E reports that 40 customers in the Cedar Ridge area have lost electricity. It is unclear when they will be restored.

CAL Fire reports that the Sierra Outdoor School and Old Oak Youth Ranch remain evacuated.  The CHP says that Big Hill Road is still closed from Columbia to Twain Harte. Pack Trail Road, which turns into Old Oak Ranch Road, is closed.

Update at 3:30pm: The CHP reports that Big Hill Road remains closed from Columbia to Twain Harte. In addition, Pack Trail Road, which turns into Old Oak Ranch Road, is closed. CAL Fire reports that the two vegetation fires have merged into one, and it is has burned around 80 acres. The incident is being referred to as the Oak Fire.

Update at 2:45pm: CAL Fire continues to work toward extinguishing the two vegetation fires in the Cedar Ridge area. CAL Fire spokesperson Lisa Williams reports that one fire is 50 acres and the other is 30 acres. There are some structures in the area threatened. CAL Fire reports that the Sierra Outdoor School and the Old Oak Youth Ranch have been evacuated. The CHP reports that much of Big Hill Road is closed due to the firefighting activity.

Update at 2pm: CAL Fire reports that the Sierra Outdoor School and Old Oak Youth Ranch have been evacuated. The Sierra Outdoor School had no students this afternoon, but other staff were asked to leave.

Original story at 1:45pm: Sonora, CA — Firefighters and Columbia aircraft are responding to a pair of vegetation fires in Tuolumne County.

The fires were reported to be in the vicinity of Old Oak Ranch Road near Big Hill Road. Cal Fire says some structures in the area are threatened. It is not immediately clear how far apart the two fires are. CAL Fire says there is also no immediate word on size or rate of spread. We’ll pass along more information as it comes into the news center.

A special thanks to community news partners Galen Gritz, Charity Maness, Maryann Curmi, Karen Jensen, Abi Rogers, Corey Adams, Amy Gladen and James Duff for sending in photos. Pictures can be e-mailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com