The Detwiler fire, one of the nine large fires raging across California, threatens 1,500 structures, forcing thousands to evacuate.
The Detwiler fire, burning west of Yosemite, started Sunday, July 16, around 4 p.m. and has burned over 45,724 acres of land as of Wednesday morning according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Only 7 percent of the fire has been contained.
#DetwilerFire [update] off Detwiler Rd & Hunters Valley Rd, (Mariposa Co) is now 45,724 acres and 7% contained. https://t.co/zBoyaN9sl1 pic.twitter.com/XrjNpC3SN9
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 19, 2017
At least eight structures have been destroyed by the “extreme and aggressive fire” said Cal Fire, forcing 4,000 people to evacuate reported the LA Times. Power lines that supply Yosemite National Park’s electricity are also being threatened.
California Gov. Jerry Brown responded to the Detwiler fire by declaring a state of emergency in Mariposa County on Tuesday, providing governmental aid.
Downtown Mariposa looks like an eerie ghost town because of the #DetwilerFire pic.twitter.com/D37yplOn0d
— Liz González (@LizKMPH) July 18, 2017
Over 2,200 firefighters with 217 engines, 35 crews, 11 helicopters, 9 air tankers, 35 bulldozers, and 26 water tenders have been assigned to quench the fire, according to Cal Fire.
The National Weather Service Bay Area tweeted a satellite image of the smoke caused by the fire.
Smoke from the #DetwilerFire clearly visible on preliminary, non-operational GOES 16 satellite. pic.twitter.com/Yi3AV7JsqX
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) July 19, 2017
Red Cross Evacuation Shelters have been opened at Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian in Oakhurst, and Cesar Chavez Middle School in Planada wrote Cal Fire.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, wild and controlled fires have burned over 4.4 million acres of land so far this year, a massive increase from last year’s 2.7 million acres during the same time frame.
