Update: Detwiler Fire At 11,000+ Acres With Little Containment
Detwiler Fire Day 2
Update at 6:32 p.m.: Mustering for their Monday evening fire meeting at the Mariposa County fairgrounds, CAL Fire officials reported that the Detwiler Fire had reached 11,200 acres in size and is now considered five percent contained.
The blaze, which initially began Sunday afternoon at Detwiler and Hunters Valley roads about two miles east of Lake McClure, continues to force more evacuations, as reported further below.
Additional evacuations ordered in the five and six o’clock hours are Mt. Bullion Ridge Road to the CYA camp road (both sides); Highway 49 North from Pendola Gardens to Mt. Ophir Road (both sides of the highway); also an advisement to evacuate for residents on Old Toll Road from Highway 49 North to Corbett Creek, including Corbett Creek.
Update at 4:40 p.m.: The Mariposa Sheriff’s Office has issued immediate mandatory evacuations of residents living from Pendola Gardens to Old Toll and the Bear Valley community due to the Detwiler Fire.
Sheriff’s officials say Pendola Gardens to Old Toll residents should exit using Old Toll. Bear Valley residents should please exit South on Highway 49 north towards Mariposa. Deputies are on PA systems in the area notifying residences.
Update at 3:32 p.m.: Due to the Detwiler Fire activity, Caltrans reports an expanded Highway 49 closure area.
The closure runs between Pendola Garden Road near the town of Mariposa to Highway 132 in the town of Coulterville. It is not known when the highway will reopen at this time but Caltrans estimates that motorists should expect 60 minute delays and seek alternate routes. Detour routes are signed.
According to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, all the evacuations, advisories and road closures listed below remain in place. Officials add that lots of people are trying to take photos and advise folks to please remember that the fire incident is a very fast-moving situation with a lot of emergency equipment in play — so please use caution and remember to stay clear of all emergency vehicles.
Update at 11:25 am: Several residents in the Mother Lode have been calling CAL Fire this morning to report smoke, and it is due to the Detwiler Fire.
Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit spokesperson Lindy Shoff states that calls continue to come in across Calaveras County between Arnold and Valley Springs. The smoke is also visible in Tuolumne County. She notes that while people should contact CAL Fire if they have concerns, drift smoke and haze resulting from the Mariposa County blaze is expected to linger in the air for at least the next couple of days.
Update at 10:15am: The natural terrain where the Detwiler Fire is burning has been creating challenges for crews assigned to the incident. CAL Fire spokesperson Jamie Williams notes that the latest size estimate remains 7,100 acres and there is zero containment.
Williams adds, “Firefighting efforts have been hampered due to the steep terrain…it’s really rocky and extremely brushy.”
In addition, she says there are many dead oak trees in the Hunters Valley area, creating unfavorable conditions. Williams adds that a larger, regional, outside fire team will be taking over operations later today. Additional air and ground resources continue to arrive. The earlier evacuation advisories remain in place. We’ll pass along more information when it becomes available.
Update at 9:10am: The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has released updated information when it comes to evacuations and road closures related to the Detwiler Fire. The sheriff’s office advises residents to stay out of the area, as the fire has been fast moving at times, and it is a rapidly changing situation.
CAL Fire reports that at least one structure has been destroyed, and another has been damaged. There is zero containment.
Mandatory Evacuations-
Detwiler Rd- ALL Homes
Hunters Valley Rd- All Homes
Hunters Valley Access Rd- All Homes
Bear Valley Rd- Between Hunters Valley and Hunters Valley Access Rd (Both sides of Bear Valley Rd)
Cotton Creek Rd- All Homes
Bear Valley Rd from Cotton Creek Rd to Hwy 49N (Both Sides of the Road)
Bear Valley Rd from Cotton Creek to Exchequer Rd- (North Side of the Rd only
Hwy 49N- From Pendola Gardens to Fremont Fort (Monument at the top of the Bagby Grade)- (Both Sides of the road)
Fire Advisement- (NOT an Evacuation Order, simple advisement of fire in the area only)
Hwy 49N- All Homes from Pendola Gardens to Mt. Ophir Rd
Pendola Gardens- All homes to Old Toll (Not including Old Toll)
Bear Valley Rd- All homes from Exchequer Rd to Hornitos Rd
No.9 Rd to Mt. Gains
Hornitos Town Area
Road Closures-
Hunters Valley Rd at Bear Valley Rd
Hunters Valley Access Rd & Bear Valley Rd
Bear Valley Rd at Hunters Valley
Bear Valley Rd Hunters Valley Access Rd
Cotton Creek at Bear Valley Rd
Hwy 49N at Pendola Gardens
Hwy 49N at Fremont Fort
Bear Valley Rd at Exchequer Rd
Mt. Gains at No.9 Rd.
Update at 7:30am: The Detwiler Fire near Lake McClure is now 7,100 acres, according to the latest estimate this morning from CAL Fire. Air and ground resources will continue to battle the fire throughout the day. All earlier evacuation orders, and road closures, remain in place.
Original story posted at 6:25am: A full firefighting response continues on the Detwiler Fire that ignited Sunday afternoon near Lake McClure.
A Red Cross Evacuation Shelter was originally set up at McCay Hall in Catheys Valley but the sheriff’s office reports that it has now been moved to the Mariposa Elementary School at 5044 Jones Street in Mariposa. Displaced residents can also bring small animals.
The flames broke out on Detwiler and Hunters Valley roads two-miles east of Lake McClure Sunday around 4 p.m. and the fire grew to 2,500 acres by late last night.
Evacuations-
Detwiler Rd- ALL Homes
Hunters Valley Rd- All Homes
Hunters Valley Access Rd- All Homes
Bear Valley Rd- Between Hunters Valley and Hunters Valley Access Rd (Both sides of Bear Valley Rd)
Cotton Creek Rd- All Homes
**Bear Valley Rd from Hunters Valley Access to Hwy 49N (Both Sides of the Road)
Hwy 49N- From Pendola Gardens to Fremont Fort (Monument at the top of the Bagby Grade)- (Both Sides of the road)**
Road Closures-
Hunters Valley Rd at Bear Valley Rd
Hunters Valley Access Rd & Bear Valley Rd
Bear Valley Rd at Hunters Valley
Bear Valley Rd Hunters Valley Access Rd
Cotton Creek Rd at Bear Valley Rd
Hwy 49N at Pendola Gardens
Hwy 49N at Fremont Fort
A special thanks to our community news partners Darin McKinney, David Wheat, Kaye Potter, Wally George, Renetta Hayes, Jennifer Perry, R. Layton, Dakota Walker, Angie Varni, Kayla Welcher, Karl Oswald and Kathy Morrissey for sending in photos.
Click here for a view of the fire’s progression from yesterday. We’ll keep you updated as more information comes into the news center.
End Day 2 Report
Detwiler Fire Starts
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Dewilter Fire Timeline Overview
