The latest on the French Fire is in this updated article.
MARIPOSA — A raging wildfire forced evacuations in parts of Mariposa County on the Fourth of July, and patients and workers at a hospital and visitors in two hotels were told to shelter-in-place.
The French Fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. in the area of French Road and Highway 49 in Mariposa. As of 5:50 a.m. Friday, the fire had burned through more than 840 acres and was 5% contained, according to Cal Fire.
The agency said bulldozers were being used to build firelines to protect the entire eastern side of Mariposa, and that calmer winds overnight helped them make progress.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters told workers and patients at JCF Hospital and visitors staying at the Yosemite Inn and Quality Inn to shelter in place.
The following areas are under mandatory evacuation orders:
- 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
Evacuation warnings are also in place for the following areas:
- Parts of Hwy140
- Lakeview Rd
- Stockton Creek Area
- Slaughterhouse from Hwy 140 to Allred
- Allred Road from Slaughterhouse to Hwy 49 South
Officials are asking people to stay out of the fire area. Multiple road closures are in place.
A temporary evacuation point is available at New Life Christian Church, located at 5089 Cole Road in Mariposa.
Check back for updates
