Update: Big Creek Fire Evacuations Lifted

Groveland, CA — Tuolumne County Sheriff’s officials are allowing residents back into the homes in the Hells Hollow area near Groveland.

Sgt. Scott Johnson says, “Cal Fire has notified us that as of approximately seven o’clock this evening all of the voluntary evacuations have been lifted.  As a result, the shelter at the Groveland Community Hall has also been closed.”

As reported Thursday afternoon, the fire’s acreage was been downsized to 204 from morning estimates of 265 acres, according to Cal Fire. The containment remains at five percent.  Cal Fire spokesperson Nancy Longmore says that the decrease is the result of better mapping.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  Resources on scene include 515 firefighters, 43 fire engines, five bulldozers, seven water tenders, and ten fire crews on the ground.  In the skies, the aircraft include one Air-Attack, two air tankers, and one helicopter.

As first reported by Clarke Broadcasting, the flames broke out around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, off Highway 120 in the Groveland area, forcing voluntary evacuations of the Hell’s Hollow area.

A special thanks to our community news partner Chuck Juhnke for sending in the photo.