Telegraph Fire Spreads To 18,150 Acres

Mariposa County, CA — According to Public Information Officer Robert Carvahlo the 18,150 acre Telegraph Fire is listed at zero percent containment.

The fire is located at Telegraph Rd. and Sherlock Rd. in the Midpines area. 2,000 homes have been threatened with eight already destroyed. Seven outbuildings have also been destroyed.

The Mariposa County Sheriff´s Office issued an evacuation order at 3pm Saturday.

Power was lost in the Yosemite Valley for a period of time but has been restored through the use of generators.

Crews are conducting a fire operation in the Coulterville area near Dogtown Rd. and Hwy 41-49 by igniting backfires. This area is to be strictly avoided by the general public.

As of 7am today 94 engines were on scene along with 34 water tenders, 24 dozers, 900 firefighters, four helicopters and six air tankers. A DC-10 may be called in later this afternoon.

Cause of the fire; target shooting.

Written by Bill Johnson