© Ron Orozco / The Fresno BeeA plume of smoke from a brush fire rises above Oakhurst Monday, August 18, 2014.
The blaze, called the Junction fire, quickly blackened about 300 acres north of the town and is moving east from its starting point near Avenue 425-A and Quail Drive. Spot fires are being reported south of Highway 41 in Oakhurst.
Two structures are confirmed on fire or lost, and 300 homes are threatened. Power was reported out in Oakhurst.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for all businesses and residents along the Highway 41 corridor between Highway 49 and Road 632 (Sky Ranch Road).
Evacuation orders include: Jean Road East and West, Scott Road, and Taylor Mountain (at the end of John West Road).
An evacuation warning has been issued for John West Road subdivision, and Indian Springs, Road 427, Pierce subdivision.
The fire also reportedly jumped Lewis Creek and is moving toward Road 222.
A major concern was the fire inside the Suburban Propane building at 41441 Highway 41, toward the northeast end of the community.
Suburban Propane started as a spot fire when flames jumped Highway 41, he said. The fire got into the attic and fire crews can't stop it without risking significant lives, according to one fire official.
Firefighters are concerned about building and the 30,000-gallon tanks on site. If the fire spreads beyond the building and heads for the tanks, firefighters were ordered to end the fight to save the facility. Evacuations were done a half-mile around Suburban Propane, said Don Stein, the division chief for Madera County Cal Fire.
"We will be in there as long as we can, but firefighter safety is an issue," he said.
Another fire official was heard on a scanner saying, "The tanks are going to do what they are going to do and it's going to be bad."
© The Fresno BeeCrews work to keep a fire at Suburban Propane in Oakhurst from threatening large propane tanks on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014.
Firefighters from Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and Madera County as well as other local fire departments, including the Fresno Fire Department, are trying to construct containment lines, protect buildings and coordinate evacuations.
About 35 engines are on scene, and about that many more are on their way, said Stein. Six air tankers and two helicopters are fighting the fire from the air, and a DC-10 is en route with 20,000 gallons of retardant.
And the Madera County Sheriff's Office has requested mutual aid from Mariposa County Sheriff's Office to assist with evacuations.
Road 620 and highways 41 and 49 are all closed.
The evacuation order is for both sides of Highway 41, south of Road 632, east of Lonesome Oak, west of Road 427.
Evacuation alerts also were issued to residents who live on Road 425A, residents who live on Road 620 and Hodges Hill Drive.
The Madera County Sheriff's Office can send emergency alerts to residents who sign up for the service. Log onto MCAlert.org. Those without a computer can call Erica Stuart, sheriff's public information officer, 559-675-7770.
The American Red Cross set up an evacuation center at the Oakhurst Community Center on Road 425-B. But that center has been ordered closed because of the fire's proximity. Evacuees are now being told to go to Coarsegold where the American Red Cross has set up shelter at the Coarsegold Community Center on Highway 41.
The blaze was reported as a plume of smoke about 1:50 p.m. Stein said the fire started in the area of a known homeless encampment near Road 425-A and Quail Drive.
"We haven't made a determination on the cause," he said.
The fire started north of Oakhurst and was initially moving to the northeast, away from the community. But when the winds shifted to the southeast, he said, the fire moved toward town.
About 5:30 p.m., he said, the winds shifted again, and the fire was moving again to the northeast.
"Right now, it looks like it's headed the other way," Stein said.
Winds are blowing up to 5 mph, but the gusts are aligned with the slopes, creating "pretty active fire behavior."
Efforts are focused on keeping the fire from getting to Road 222, where it could move south toward Bass Lake.
Businesses shut down early in Oakhurst to get out of the way of firefighters.
"They basically need us all off the road," said Rhonda Salisbury, Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau marketing director.
She said it's been more than 50 years since the Oakhurst area has seen such a significant fire.
She said it was difficult to know whether people were leaving early because they were evacuated or just to keep from getting in the way.
"We're all ready to get out our hoses," she said. "We love this town and community and these firefighters have had such a hard time in the last couple years. We want to do what we can to help, but there's not a lot of water and it's hot and dry."
As fire alarms sounded in buildings nearby, Oakhurst residents and National Park tourists gathered outside a local Rite Aid eating ice cream.
Cody Goodwin, Greg Steffen and Jesse Gallet waited for a call from Tenaya Lodge where they work to see if they were going in to work Monday.
"It's a snow day for us until the roads are open," Goodwin, 31, said. "As long as we're waiting, we're getting paid."
Dave and Kathy Schollman were on their way back from Sequoia National Park. The Minnesota residents landed in Seattle last week and were touring the national parks along the West Coast.
They stayed in the Best Western Oakhurst Sunday night, and because of Highway 41 closures they weren't able to retrieve their luggage.
"Every time I come to California something happens," Dave Schollman said. "Last time we were here was for the 1989 earthquake. I guess my bucket list is complete."
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter