ORLANDO, Fla. — A fast-moving wildfire near Yosemite National Park in California quickly spread Saturday, causing officials to order the evacuation of thousands of residents.
The Oak Fire moved into the mountainous terrain of Mariposa County late Friday and expanded Saturday, the Merced Sun-Star reported. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection -- also known as Cal Fire -- the blaze began Friday southwest of Yosemite and grew to 10.2 square miles by Saturday, according to The Associated Press.
Evacuation orders were mandated for more than 6,000 people living in the rural area, Daniel Patterson, a spokesman for the Sierra National Forest, told the AP.
The fire began at 2:10 p.m. PDT near the town of Midpines, SFGate.com reported. Firefighters had been making progress against an earlier blaze that burned near the national park’s southern areas when the new fire erupted, according to the AP.
The Oak Fire overnight. It’s already charred more than 6,500 acres in less than 24 hours and destroyed at least 10 homes. The fire is 0% contained. #oakfire pic.twitter.com/BhIPOMn2jy
— Justin Sullivan (@sullyfoto) July 23, 2022
At least 10 structures have been destroyed and five have been damaged in the fire, KCRA-TV reported. Another 2,000 structures are threatened.
“Explosive fire behavior is challenging firefighters,” Cal Fire said in an 8 a.m. PDT report.
Natasha Fouts, a spokeswoman for CalFire, told The New York Times that the Oak Fire was the fastest-growing blaze of the season so far. It surpassed the speed of the Washburn that continues to burn in Yosemite National Park.
At least 383 firefighters have been deployed, KFSN-TV reported. Containment remains at 0%, according to fire officials.
“Fire activity is extreme with frequent runs and group torching,” Cal Fire provided in its situation summary later Saturday, according to the Sun-Star. “Vegetation is very receptive to new spot fires due to the hot, dry weather and drought.
This video shows the devastation caused by the Oak Fire in Mariposa County in just a few hours. If you look closely, you can see fire crews working dangerously close to the flames, fighting to save lives and homes. Latest here:https://t.co/sR8XyYkZt9 pic.twitter.com/TEiYRAhzkj
— ABC30 Fresno (@ABC30) July 23, 2022
“Heavy fuels, strong winds and low humidity are also influencing fire behavior.”
The firefighters were assisted by helicopters, other aircraft and bulldozers in the sparsely populated area located near the Sierra Nevada foothills, Patterson told the AP.
Fire officials said it could be a week before the Oak Fire is fully contained, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“The fire is moving quickly. This fire was throwing embers out in front of itself for up to 2 miles yesterday,” Patterson told the AP. “These are exceptional fire conditions.”
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