Hunters fire near Yosemite National Park now threatens 100 homes
The Central California blaze had charred more than 600 acres and was 40% contained on Wednesday night, fire officials say.
An out-of-control wildfire burning in Mariposa County west of Yosemite National Park has burned one residence and is now threatening more than 100 others as dozens of residents evacuate, officials reported Tuesday.
The Hunters fire started Monday about 3:30 p.m. in the Hunters Valley area near Lake McClure and quickly grew to about 500 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. By Tuesday morning, it had grown to roughly 900 acres and was just 10% contained.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office ordered evacuations from Hunters Valley Road to Bear Valley Road, including homes off Hunters Valley Access Road and Detwiler Road as of 11:30 p.m. Monday. Hunters Valley Road to Bear Valley Road and Cotton Creek Road at Bear Valley Road remained closed.
The fire was fully uncontained as of Monday night, Calfire reported, and had destroyed two structures that were believed to be uninhabited. The blaze started as a house fire that quickly spread to the surrounding brush because of dry conditions and strong winds, ABC7 reported.
There have been no reported injuries.
The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center and county officials established a rescue center for pets.
As of May 17, Calfire had responded to more than 1,500 wildfires this year, nearly double its five-year average over the same time period.
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