Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Update: All River Fire Warnings Lifted, Roads Reopened as Containment Reaches 51%
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 4 years ago on
July 16, 2021

Share

Updated at 9:30 a.m. Friday |

Containment of the River Fire in Madera and Mariposa counties improved to 51% Friday, owing to favorable weather conditions reduced fire activity after days of suppression efforts by firefighters from across California.

As of Thursday evening, all remaining evacuation warnings and road closures had been lifted in Madera and Mariposa counties.

“All roads are now open for public travel,” the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. “Please use caution when driving in the area and watch for emergency vehicles and personnel.”

Madera County Declares Emergency

Earlier in the week, Madera County declared a local state of emergency due to the impacts of the fire, which burned about 9,500 acres.

“The River Fire has strained our local resources and necessitates a proclamation of a local emergency in order to maintain our standard level of public protection to the county,” the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on social media. “By proclaiming a local state of emergency we are formally requesting help from state and federal officials.”

Firefighters and equipment from across the state quickly responded to the fire. At one point, Cal Fire reported over 1,500 personnel had been deployed along with apparatus an arsenal of aerial and on-the ground resources.

The River Fire began in the area of Oak Grove Road and Oak Grove School road, approximately nine miles south of Bootjack on Highway 49. The blaze has expanded primarily toward the east in the direction of Yosemite National Park.

At one point, the eastern edge of the fire came within about 2 miles of River Creek Golf Course and the community of Ahwahnee.

Satellite imagery shows perimeter of River Fire as of Thursday. Yellow borders and shading indicate areas of low intensity fire activity. (Image: GISsurfer Wildland Fire Map)

Additional information on the River Fire can be found at this link.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

5 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

18 hours ago

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

For your next trip, have you considered townsizing? What about choosing a detour destination? And instead of forest-bathing, maybe it’...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

Townsizing? Land Snorkeling? A User’s Guide to the Latest Travel Lingo

4 hours ago

Trump Trade War Has Already Had Huge Effect on California Ports

5 hours ago

Cambodian American Chefs Are Finding Success and Raising Their Culture’s Profile. On Their Terms

5 hours ago

Ancient DNA Reveals a New Group of People Who Lived Near Land Bridge Between the Americas

18 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

18 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

18 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

19 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend