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Update: Detwiler Flames Jump Containment Lines To Hike Acreage

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Update at 7:15 p.m.:  CAL Fire reports a flare up on the Detwiler Fire Thursday afternoon sparked a 100-acre spot fire between outside the black containment line of the fire and Lake McClure at the end of Hunters Valley Road.

Ground and air resources were able to extinguish it in about two hours. That added up to a total acreage climb of 200 for Thursday, bringing the current official estimate to 81,550 acres. The containment held steady at 75 percent.

CAL Fire shares that crews continue to reinforce and build containment lines around the fire, including the spot fire area. Steep and rugged terrain continues to make access difficult in some areas. The number of personnel has decreased to 3,700. Resources are also down to 277 engines, 94 crews, 12 helicopters, 35 dozers and 52 water tenders. The number of threatened structures has dropped to 30. There have been 63 homes destroyed, 67 outbuildings and one commercial building.

The American Red Cross has announced it will close the evacuation shelter at the Mariposa Elementary School on Friday, July 28 at 10:30 a..m. (Please see below for additional fire details and lifted evacuations and road openings.)

Update at 4 p.m.: Drones are creating problems for aircraft battling the Detwiler Fire. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office says there have been multiple reports of drones flying in and around the fire footprint. Sheriff’s officials are asking that operators to remember that air support cannot fly when drones are in the skies and to keep the drones out of the fire area.  (Please see below for additional fire details, including lifted evacuations and road openings.)

Update at 2:45pm: CAL Fire officials are surmising at this point that an incident near the Detwiler Fire that created a flare up and jumped the black containment line this afternoon is a spot fire, possibly caused by the high temperatures and wind patterns.

Currently it is being reported as 100 acres in size and “sufficient” resources, according to CAL Fire, are aggressively attacking it. The location is described as between outside the black containment line of the fire and Lake McClure somewhere at the end of Hunters Valley Road. As part of the process, investigators will be checking to determine for certain if the incident is indeed a spot fire or another incident.

Thank you to our community news partners Bill Buck, Lew Richardson, Renetta Hayes and Ralph Richards. Send photos and video to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.

Update at 1:45pm: CAL Fire reports what may be a flare up within the Detwiler Fire that has occurred within the hour in what appears to be northeast Hunters Valley.

According to CAL Fire officials, resources are working to identify whether the blaze is part of the Detwiler Fire or another incident. Reports of smoke billowing up into the air are coming into the news center. KVML Program Director Mark Truppner captured an image of a smoke column from Highway 108 Jamestown. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Update at 12:05pm: The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office lifted another set of evacuation orders.

These came just after 11 a.m. and are for the following areas: Dogtown Road; Texas Hill Road; Greeley Hill Road, including all side roads on Greeley Hill Road to Bull Creek Road; Bondurant Mine Road and Old Yosemite Road.

Travel routes are Texas Hill and Bondurant Mine roads — exit using Dogtown to Coulterville or Holtzel to Greeley Hill roads. For all side roads on Greeley Hill Road, exit using Greeley Hill Road.

Officials caution to remain aware of fire crews with heavy equipment working on direct fire lines in the area. A road closure that still remains in this area is Bull Creek Road.

Latest figures indicate 4,266 firefighters, 315 engines, 107 fire crews, 12 helicopters, 43 dozers, and 59 water tenders remain assigned to the incident under CAL Fire Incident Management Team 4.

Original Post at 9:05am: Mariposa, CA — This morning CAL Fire reports the Detwiler Fire is up to 81,350 acres and 75-percent containment.

There remains 4,914 firefighters assigned to the incident, 343 engines, 114 crews, 19 helicopters, 52 dozers and 61 water tenders. 63 homes have been destroyed, 67 outbuildings and one commercial building. In addition, damage has been reported to 13 additional homes and eight outbuildings.

Remaining Evacuation Orders – Mariposa 
Dogtown Rd. from Wampum Hill to Bowers Cave All of Texas Hill Rd Greeley Hill Rd. from Lower Dogtown Rd. (Coulterville) to Dogtown Rd. near Bowers Cave Bull Creek Rd from Greeley Hill Rd to the Merced River Old Yosemite Rd to the Five Corners intersection.

The Detwiler Fire Started on Sunday, July 16th just before 4pm, no cause has been determined yet.

Dewilter Fire Timeline Overview

  • Detwiler Fire Flare-up 100-acre spot-July 27-2017
  • Detwiler Fire - 7-27-17
  • Detwiler Fire Flare-up from The Pastures, July 27 2017
  • Detwiler Fire Flare-up from Zarzamora Street, July 27 2017
  • Detwiler Fire Flare-up from Sunset Ranch, July27 2017
  • Detwiler Fire Flare-up from Banderilla July 27 2017
  • Detwiler Fire, looking south from Highway 108, Jamestown
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