California
Oak Fire Update: 32% Contained, 41 Homes Destroyed, Highway 140 Reopened
Cal Fire says that crews continued to make progress Tuesday night against the huge Oak Fire, which has destroyed 74 structures, including 41 homes, near Yosemite National Park.
More than 3,100 personnel are battling the blaze, which is now 32% contained and covers 18,715 acres in Mariposa County.
There have been no reported injuries or fatalities, according to Cal Fire.
“Although good progress continues on the fire, there is much work to be done,” Cal Fire said.
Smoke from the fire continues to challenge efforts to contain the blaze at night, authorities said. The smoke is drifting to both the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe.
GoFundMe Accounts Verified
On Tuesday, GoFundMe announced in a news release that it “will identify all verified fundraisers created to help those who have lost their businesses, homes, and have been displaced by the Oak Fire in Mariposa County. ”
You can view the verified fundraisers at this link.
Road Closures, Evacuations and Animal Info
About 6,000 residents from mountain communities were still under evacuation orders, although a few places were downgraded to advisories Tuesday afternoon. In addition, Highway 140, which is a gateway to Yosemite National Park, has reopened.
“Fire suppression equipment may be in the area, please drive with caution and obey all posted reduced speed warnings,” Cal Fire officials said.
You can view road closures, evacuation orders, and animal evacuation information at this link.
#Oakfire #Yosemite #CaliforniaFires
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Crews were able to strengthen some areas of fire line although steep, rugged terrain was challenging firefighters on the northern and northeastern sides of the blaze, making it inaccessible to bulldozers and requiring fire lines to be cut by hand, Cal Fire said.
Supporting the firefighters are 22 helicopters, 286 engines, 94 bulldozers, and 68 water tenders.
The blaze erupted Friday near the town of Midpines and quickly grew Saturday as flames churned through tinder-dry brush and trees amid the California drought.
Firefighters Jerome Alton, right, and Sergio Porras wrap up an overnight shift battling the Oak Fire in the Jerseydale community of Mariposa County on Monday, July 25, 2022. (AP/Noah Berger)
(Associated Press contributed to this article.)
