Oak Fire in Mariposa County explodes to 1,300 acres, has reached Sierra National Forest
Fresno, Calif. (KFSN) — A new wildfire spreading dangerously nearly in Mariposa County has forced many residents to evacuate and has reached the Sierra National Forest.
The Oak Fire was sparked after 2 pm on Friday and has already jumped to 1,300 acres within a few hours.
On Friday afternoon, the sheriff’s office issued an evacuation order for the following areas:
Residents are being asked to leave immediately. CAL FIRE crews have arrived in the area and are fighting the flames.
On Friday evening, officials confirmed that the wildfire had reached the Sierra National Forest. Forest officials are working with CAL FIRE to respond.
An evacuation center was initially set up at New Life Christian Church, but the dangerously fast spread of the fire officials forced to close it down.
The Red Cross has set up a new evacuation center at Mariposa Elementary School. All the residents and responders who were at the New Life Christian Church have been relocated to the elementary school. Those arriving at the school will be given safe shelter, water, meals and additional resources.
Address of evacuation center:
Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones Street, Mariposa, CA 95338
An evacuation center for large animals has also been set up at the Mariposa County Fair Grounds.
Small animals can be housed at the Mariposa Elementary School.
Nearly 3,000 families are without power in Mariposa County, according to the PG&E website.
This is the third wildfire in the county in the last two weeks.
Firefighters are still trying to fully contain the Washburn Fire and the Agua Fire.
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