Twitter/Cal Fire Detwiler Fire.
The massive “Detwiler Fire” near Yosemite National Park in California has burned through 48,000 acres and is 7% contained.
The fire had doubled in size overnight on July 18, reaching 45,724 acres and was 7% contained. Its pace slowed considerably though, and, by 9 p.m. July 19, in the latest update, the fire had reached 48,000 acres with 7% contained. Twenty-nine structures were destroyed with 5 damaged.
#DetwilerFire is 48,000 acres – 7% contained & remains dynamic. Firefighters are facing high temps & drought stressed vegetation.
The night before, the blaze had burned 25,000 acres and was continuing to grow, threatening an entire town and hundreds of structures and turning skies orange.
The blaze in Mariposa County, California led to “thousands of evacuations” from the Town of Mariposa not far from Yosemite National Park as the flames drew near the community, imperiling the historic Gold Rush town.
The fire grew during the night:
Fires shouldn’t grow overnight. This one more than doubled. #DetwilerFire t.co/4ubFNNk39y
Videos and posted on social media documented the size of the threat. “This is just insane,” wrote one Twitter user who posted a dramatic photo of the fire.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Fire Was Called ‘Very Dynamic’ & Extreme By Fire Officials
This just in – #DetwilerFire is now 25,000 and 5% contained. Air and ground resources continue to fight this massive blaze in Mariposa Co.
“#DetwilerFire very dynamic and exhibiting extreme fire behavior. Please heed the directions of firefighters & law enforcement officers,” warned Cal Fire on Twitter. Cal Fire is the name used by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
According to Cal Fire, the Detwiler fire started on Sunday, July 16 at about 4 p.m. As of 8:30 p.m. on July 18 on the west coast, 1,500 structures were threatened, eight were destroyed and one was damaged. Things became worse by the morning of July 19.
#Breaking the #DetwilerFire is now 45,724 acres and is 7% contained. Nearly doubled overnight
The number of structures destroyed – eight – had remained the same overnight, though.
Latest on the #DetwilerFire now burned 45,724 acres, 7% contained. 8 structures destroyed, thousands evacuated.
You can see the list of road closings, evacuations, and shelters here.
This made my heart drop to my stomach. Prayers for our town needed tonight🙏🏼 #DetwilerFire
“Today, firefighters experienced extreme and aggressive fire behavior with active crowning, short- range spotting and uphill runs,” Cal Fire wrote on July 18. “The communities of Hunters Valley, Bear Valley, Catheys Valley, Mormon Bar, The Town of Mariposa, Mount Bullion, Yaqui Gulch/Aqua Fria areas and Hornitos continue to be threatened. The fire encroaches on culturally and historically sensitive areas.”
Amazing helmet-cam video from one of the helicopters fighting the #DetwilerFire. Video: Jacob Barber
That wasn’t all. “Traffic along HWY 149, 49N and 49S will be impacted as a result of road closures. The fire continues to threaten power lines to the south of the incident, which supply power to Yosemite National Park. Firefighters on the ground as well as aircraft are actively working to contain and suppress the fire,” reported Cal Fire.
2. Mariposa, a Historic ‘Gold Rush Town,’ Was Threatened by the Fire
The rugged foothills above Mariposa tonight #DetwilerFire
Churches, schools, and community halls welcomed evacuees from the Town of Mariposa as the Detwiler Fire approached. Mariposa, “first settled in 1849, is the southernmost in the Gold Rush chain of towns,” according to Yosemite.com.
Only vehicles we are seeing are fire personnel going through #Mariposa to #DetwilerFire , we are live on @CBS47 until 7
“The streets follow the original street grid laid out by John C. Fremont in 1850. Several disastrous early fires convinced settlers to rebuild with stone, brick and adobe.”
Evacuees coming to Oakhurst EV Free Church. They had no power and were evacuated from homes in Mariposa #Detwilerfire
Five shelters were publicized:
There are now 5 evac. shelters for #DetwilerFire
Firefighters were working hard to protect the town.
Traffic earlier in the day was confined to a narrow, winding road.
This was how some people trying to enter #Mariposa earlier had to do it — using the narrow, winding Old Highway Road. #DetwilerFire
Downtown Mariposa looked like a ghost town:
Downtown Mariposa looks like an eerie ghost town because of the #DetwilerFire
Mariposa lies in the shadow of Yosemite. “Mariposa has retained the small town charm of a bygone era, so you won’t see strip malls or chain stores, and Mariposa remains one of a handful of California towns without a stop light,” Yosemite.com reports.
Found a cabin w/o power in Yosemite after evacuating the #DetwilerFire. It doubled in size again overnight to 45k acres. Time to move again
“With Yosemite National Park in Mariposa’s backyard, tourism played a role as far back as the 1870s, though it didn’t really take off until automobile travel did too. Nowadays, about four million people visit Yosemite National Park each year. Over the years, the county has become host to a wide variety of popular annual festivals. Whichever month you arrive in, you’re bound to find something fun going on.”
People posted prayers for the town and its people on Twitter. “Hoping my family in Mariposa is going to be ok tonight ?? #DetwilerFire,” wrote one woman on Twitter.
3. Dramatic Photos & Videos Captured the Extent of the Blaze
Photos and videos captured the fire’s eerie orange glow and haze. “Firefighters executed an all out air attack on the massive flames from the Detwiler Fire, ripping across hillsides, and over mountain tops near the community of Mariposa,” reported CBS Sacramento.
You can see the smoke from the #DetwilerFire on @NWSBayArea satellite.
The #DetwilerFire plume cresting the ridge just northwest of Mariposa
DEVELOPING: California Gov. Jerry Brown declares state of emergency in Mariposa County due to #DetwilerFire, which has grown to 25,000 acres
#DetwilerFire Air Attack
#DetwilerFire close friend just told us fire is at the hospital and their house is next #tragic #MariposaCounty fortunately they are safe.
The fire crossed highways.
🔥FEATURED POST 🔥
@firelinemedia – Bear Valley (Mariposa County) CA – The #detwilerfire crosses Highway 49 near th… t.co/BPAu2W1do5
Falling ash was described as looking like snow.
8 structures destroyed, 1,500 threatened in the #DetwilerFire. #Video from our crew on the scene shows ash falling like snow.
#DetwilerFire is dangerous because of this. This is what it looks like near Mariposa. Drought killed Millions of trees.
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency as a result of the fire.
4. More Than 2,200 Personnel Battled the Blaze
#DetwilerFire [update] east of Lake McClure (Mariposa County) now 19,600 acres and 5% contained. New evacs in effect t.co/zBoyaN9sl1
Cal Fire’s spokesman told ABC30 the fire was a “full on challenge.”
“When you add the challenge that we’re in the foothills– when you add the slopes and grades and the temperatures we’re dealing with, the humidity we’re dealing with– it’s a full on challenge,” said Isaac Sanchez to the television station.
Fire officials said that, as of July 19, 2,200 personnel were battling the fire, up from 1,400.
CALFIRE now reporting #DetwilerFire @ 45,724 Acres 7% contained. IR flight image included unburned ac between firing operations & main fire
The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
July 18, 2017 Factsheet for the #DetwilerFire – the latest evacs, road closures and conditions.
Here are some facts on the Detwiler Fire from Cal Fire, as of July 18:
Total Fire Personnel: 1,405
Total Fire Engines: 217
Total Fire Crews: 35
Total Airtankers: 9
Total Helicopters: 11
Total Dozers: 35
Total Water Tenders: 26
Long/Lat: -120.21321/37.61757
You can see a map of the Detwiler Fire here:
#RedFlagWarnings in effect for central & northern parts of CA for high winds & low humidity Use caution outside: t.co/3Or0ygzF3r
“Can’t say enough thanks to the brave firefighters that are part of the strike team to help fight the #DetwilerFire @CALFIRE_PIO,” wrote one man on Twitter, echoing the words of many.
5. The Detwiler Fire Is But One of Many California Wildfires in 2017
You can see above that the Detwiler Fire is only one of a series of wildfires in California in 2017, but it’s a major one.
“I have many friends affected by the #DetwilerFire. I am hopeful that the firefighters can get this under control soon. :(!!!” wrote one distraught Twitter user.