A brush fire in Mariposa County quickly exploded in size to more than 600 acres Friday afternoon, prompting authorities to expand evacuation zones.
Around 3:30 p.m., about an hour and a half after it started, the Oak fire was 60 acres and 0% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. An hour later, it had grown to 611 acres and remained uncontained, Cal Fire said.
The fire started around 2 p.m. in the area of Highway 140 and Carstens Road, near Midpines, Cal Fire said.
Authorities issued an evacuation order and closures for Carstens, Buckingham Mountain and Plumbar Creek roads and for Triangle Road to Highway 140, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office. Jerseydale and all side roads were later added to the evacuation and closure list.
Deputies have received reports of people trapped in the evacuation zone either without vehicles or otherwise not able to leave, said Kristie Mitchell, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. Units were on the way to help them evacuate.
An evacuation center has been set up at the New Life Christian Fellowship, at 5089 Cole Road, the sheriff’s office said. Those with large animals should go to the Mariposa Fairgrounds and Exposition Center at 5007 Fairgrounds Road.
A map of areas under evacuation orders can be found here. Additional alerts and information from authorities can be found at mariposacounty.org.
This is a developing story and will be updated.