Evacuation lifted for Mariposa; fire engine involved in accident

Cal Fire and the Mariposa County Sheriff lifted a fire evacuation order for the Gold Rush-era town of Mariposa, nearby Yosemite, around noon today. Electricity has not yet been restored, according to local media reports.

The town remains under a potential evacuation advisory, and speed control will be enforced in it due to the large amount of emergency equipment in the area.

Around 10:30 a.m., a fire engine by the Mount Bullion area was involved in an accident, Cal Fire said. Details were not released.

The Detwiler Fire didn't grow significantly overnight, but Cal Fire said Friday morning that the 74,083-acre blaze had destroyed 58 homes and 60 outbuildings, threatened 1,500 homes, and was 15 percent contained.

More than 3,800 firefighters were battling the blaze that forced nearly 5,000 people from homes in and around a half-dozen small communities.

State Route 49 South is open with no restrictions, according to Cal Fire and the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, and SR 140 East of Mariposa is likewise open to Yosemite National Park.

At its closest, the Detwiler Fire was about 35 miles from Yosemite, where campgrounds remained open, park spokesman Scott Gediman said.

Roadblocks will remain at SR 49 North at Lemee Lane, SR 140 at SR 49 South, Grosjean at SR 140, Lakeview at SR 140, East Whitlock at SR 140.

Save Mart Supermarkets in Madera, Chowchilla, Fresno, Clovis and elsewhere have begun collecting monetary donations for American Red Cross fire relief efforts. Shoppers can donate any amount at checkout and the total donated will be printed on their receipts for tax deduction purposes.

Similarly, the farm bureaus of Madera and Merced counties have joined forces to collect donations for farms impacted by the Detwiler Fire and to maintain a list of those willing to house and/or haul livestock. The bureaus will send to their members a full list of needs identified by Red Cross officials. Each bureau’s office will be a drop-off point for donated items. Contact the Madera County Farm Bureau by visiting 1102 S. Pine Street or calling 674-8871.