MIDPINES, Calif — The most recent updates on the Oak Fire can be found HERE.
Cal Fire said its firefighters and aircraft have dropped 300,000 gallons of water on the Oak Fire.
Flames towering through the mountainous terrain have forced evacuations in a number of small communities.
Jerry Kell and his wife said they aren't leaving the community of Lushmeadows. He has sprayed fire retardant on his roof, so far containment lines firefighters have created are holding.
"We can stay here. We can spray water. Keep the house damp. We were out raking the yard last night do whatever we can to harden the place,"Kell said.
But not everyone has been so fortunate to still have a home.
Along Jerseydale Road, a once lush forest full of trees turned into a dead, ash-filled landscape. Many homes are confirmed destroyed, while firefighters were able to hold their ground with many others.
Fire restrictions and closures near the fire area are in place on the Sierra National Forest.
As of Monday evening, 21 single residence structures and 34 outbuildings have been destroyed, and 2,464 other structures remain threatened by the fire.
For updates on current road closures and evacuation orders, click here.
STAY INFORMED:
EVACUATIONS:
An evacuation map for Mariposa County is available below.
Red Cross:
Mariposa County Elementary 5044 Jones St. Mariposa, CA
Road Closures:
- Carstens Road
- Triangle Rd from Hwy 140 to Hwy 49 south
- Buckingham Mt. Rd
- Plumbar Creek Rd
- Jerseydale Rd and all side roads
- Hwy 140 from Allred Rd to Ponderosa Way
- Darrah Rd
- Silva Rd from Triangle to Cole Rd
- Cole Rd
- McNally Rd
- Boyer Rd and all side roads
- Brooks Rd
- Woodland Dr
- Carelton Rd to Morningstar Rd
- Morningstar Rd.
FIRE MAP:
This map from ESRI shows fire activity (this may take a few seconds to load):
SMOKE MAP:
This map from the National Weather Service shows where smoke from the Oak Fire is expected to be visible. Some people nearby counties are feeling the effects of the smoke from the Oak Fire.
WILDFIRE PREPS:
According to Cal Fire, the 2021 fire season started earlier than previous years, but also ended earlier, as well. January 2021 saw just under 1,200 acres burned from nearly 300 wildfires. Fires picked up in the summer when the Dixie Fire burned in five Northern California counties — Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Tehama. The Dixie Fire started on July 13 and wasn't contained until Oct. 25, burning nearly 1 million acres. It has since become the second-largest wildfire in state history and the largest non-complex fire.
Overall, 2.5 million acres were burned in 2021 from 8,835 wildfires. Over 3,600 structures were destroyed and 3 people were killed.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, and supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and knowing your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
What questions do you have about the latest wildfires? If the wildfires impact you, what would you like to know? Text the ABC10 team at (916) 321-3310.
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