Update: Some Mandatory Evacuations Lifted in French Fire

French Fire in Mariposa County -- MCSO map

Update at 6:30 p.m.: The French Fire burning in the Midpines area of Mariposa County near Grosjean Road and Alta Vista Road has climbed to 908 acres and 20 percent containment. Although some evacuation orders were lifted today (see below) and Highway 140 was reopened, four structures have been destroyed, and there are still 830 structures threatened. Three firefighters have been injured.

“Firefighters continue to gain containment and cool hot spots throughout the fire. Utility crews are working diligently to repair and replace damaged infrastructure,” according to CAL Fire, adding, “Damage inspectors have arrived and are conducting inspections.”

Resources on scene total 919 personnel, including 114 engines, 16 water tenders, 31 hand crews, 22 dozers, other 24, and 4 helicopters.

Update at 12:30 p.m.: Midpines, CA — Progress is being made on the French Fire that remains 843 acres and 5 percent contained, burning in Mariposa County near Grosjean Road and Alta Vista Road.

The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office reports that only the evacuations closest to the fire remain. They released this updated information on evacuations, road closures, and what those returning to their homes can expect:

Evacuations for the following areas have been reduced to FULLY OPEN:            

• Jones Rd including all side roads- Excluding the Roadway to the MCHS Baseball Fields/Track
• Campbell Way
• Dexter View
• Pine Street
• Smith Rd from Hwy 140 to Hospital Rd
• Hospital Rd from Smith to just past John C. Fremont, Including St. Andrews Rd.
• Williams Road

Shelter In Place Lifted:

• John C. Fremont Hospital
• Yosemite Inn
• Quality Inn

*Be aware that heavy fire and emergency traffic will remain in the area as fire suppression efforts continue. Please continue to avoid the area as much as possible. If you must be in the area, please drive with extreme caution.

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS:

• Grosjean Rd
• Alta Vista Rd
• Avoca Vale
• Old Hwy North from 140 to 10th street
• Slaughterhouse Rd
• Hospital Road past John C. Fremont
• Road to MCHS Baseball Field / Track

EVACUATION WARNING: This is not a Mandatory Evacuation; it is simply a warning of fire in the area and a possible need to evacuate quickly should fire conditions change. Residents should begin to plan and prepare:

• Stockton Creek Area
• Slaughterhouse from Hwy 140 to Allred
• Allred Road from Slaughterhouse to Hwy 49 South

EVACUATION CENTER:
New Life Christian Church located at 5089 Cole Rd, Mariposa

ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION:

• Grosjean
• Alta Vista
• Avoca Vale
• Hospital Road past John C. Fremont
• Old Hwy North from Hwy 140 to 10th Street

EXTENDED FIRE SUPPRESSION EFFORTS:
A large pre-fire suppression plan is being conducted in the Allred Rd. area. There is an extremely large amount of fire and emergency equipment doing precautionary work; this includes a significantly large dozer operation. Please drive slowly while in the area and watch for firefighters working in the area.

ROAD OPEN: Updated:

• Highway 140 will be open with traffic controls from Old Highway North to Grojean Rd. This will be open to all traffic through to Yosemite National Park.

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE:

Although wildfire damage can be immeasurable, the danger is not over after the flames are put out. Flash flooding and debris flows, structural damage, road instability, and damaged trees are just some of the dangers that exist after a wildfire.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Stay away from your home or business until fire officials tell you it is safe to return.
• Flash floods are a very real and potentially deadly hazard after a wildfire, particularly as a result of rain falling over a burned area upstream of your location. Stay away from burned forests, storm channels, and natural drainages (rivers, creeks, and engineered channels can convey deadly flows of water and debris, especially after a wildfire).
• Have a battery-powered radio to listen for emergency updates, weather forecasts,
• reports of flash flooding, and news reports.
• Have an evacuation plan in place and make sure all family members are familiar with it.
• Be aware of and use extreme caution around trees, power poles, and other tall objects or structures that may have lost stability during the fire. Most burned structures and surfaces will be unstable.
• Stay out of burned forests during windy conditions, as burned trees are easily downed by wind. Do not touch any power lines.
• Keep a “fire watch.” That means look for smoke or sparks throughout the house and on rooftops (e.g., in gutters), etc. Look for ash pits or hidden embers. Stay away – they can burn you.
• Before inspecting your home, first check for the smell of gas. Turn off power until you’ve completed your inspection. Use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect a damaged home. (Note: the flashlight should be turned on outside before entering. The battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.)
• Do not drink or use water from the faucet until emergency officials say it is okay; water supply systems can be damaged and become polluted during wildfires or as a result of subsequent post-fire flooding. If your well has been damaged by fire, contact a local licensed and bonded well constructor or pump installer to determine the extent of the damage and what must be done to either repair or decommission the well.
• Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, flood waters, or soot.
• Utilities: If there is no power, check to make sure the main breaker is on. If the breakers are on and power is still not present, contact the utility company. If you have a propane tank or system, contact a propane supplier, turn off valves on the system, and leave valves closed until the supplier inspects your system. If you have a heating oil tank system, contact a heating oil supplier for an inspection of your system before you use it. If you have a solar electrical system, this system should be inspected by a licensed technician to verify that the solar panels and electrical wiring are safe for continued operation.

Original post written by BJ Hansen at 6 a.m.: Midpines, CA — Firefighters continue to battle the French Fire burning in the area of Mariposa County near Grosjean Road and Alta Vista Road.

CAL Fire updated this morning that it is 843 acres with 5% containment. The CAL Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit reports, “Dozers and handcrews have constructed a fireline around the entire eastern side of the community of Mariposa. As fire activity moderates, firefighters continue to push towards and focus on the eastern side of the fire.”

The smoke has noticeably reduced overnight on the webcam pointed at the blaze. The list of evacuation orders and advisories from the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is listed below: To view a map of evacuations, click here. 

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS

Hospital Rd- From Silver Creek to the End (up the mountain)

Grosjean Rd

Alta Vista Rd

Avoca Vale

Old Hwy North from 140 to 10th street

Slaughterhouse Rd

Williams Road

Hospital Road

Smith Rd from Hwy 140 to Hospital Rd

Campbell Road

Pine Street

Dexter View

All of Jones Street

Bullion Street- East Side Only from Hwy 140 to the end of the town area.This includes all side roads that run between Jones and Bullion including 3rd Street – 13th Street

Mariposa Street

Trabucco Street

Deputies are in the areas making door to door notifications.

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave do not wait to be told to evacuate.

EVACUATION WARNING- This is not a Mandatory Evacuation, it is simply a warning of fire in the area and a possible need to evacuate quickly should fire conditions change. Residents should begin to plan and prepare.

Parts of Hwy140

Lakeview Rd

Stockton Creek Area

Slaughterhouse from Hwy 140 to Allred

Allred Road from Slaughterhouse to Hwy 49 South

SHELTER IN PLACE:

JCF Hospital

Yosemite Inn

Quality Inn

If you live in the area and do not feel safe, please leave do not wait to be told to evacuate.

Temporary Evacuation Point- New Life Christian Church located at 5089 Cole Rd, Mariposa

Please stay out of the fire area.

ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

Grosjean

Alta Vista

Avoca Vale

Jones Street

Smith Rd from Hwy 140 to Hospital Rd

Hospital Road

Old Hwy North from Hwy 140 to 10th Street

Campbell Rd

Dexter View

Pine Drive

Williams Rd

Hwy 140 from Hwy 49 North to East Whitlock

Hwy 49 South from Old Hwy to Hwy 140, Northbound Lanes only- Traffic being re-directed to Miller Road