Mariposa resident on edge as Detwiler Fire inches closer
MARIPOSA, Calif. (KFSN) -- As the night rolled in, the unforgiving, fast-moving Detwiler Fire raced down the mountain side in Mariposa Tuesday. The flames shooting intensely into the air, managed to stay tucked behind the historic part of the town.
But Mia Gloor watched from a distance, hoping some way, somehow it will stop before getting to her family business.
"Everybody is scared-- you'd never think something like this would happen in your town," said Mia Gloor, Mariposa Lodge Owner.
Delmer Humphrey lives along Highway 49, directly across from the raging blaze. Despite there being a mandatory evacuation, he sat outside in his wheelchair and watched the flames.
Evacuation of Mariposa ordered due to Detwiler Fire
"I feel safe-- I'm right behind the highway patrolman's office. They ain't going to leave me."
Cal Fire said steep terrain and strong winds have been creating challenges for them over the past three days-- causing the raging blaze to burn more than 25,000 acres with just five-percent containment.
"We did have a problem earlier today with embers landing and creating spot fires outside of the area we have been concentrating on," said Capt. Jerry Fernandez, Cal Fire.
As firefighters work around the clock to get it contained, Humphrey said he waits to see if it inches closer to his home. If it does-- he is going to use a flashlight to get first responders attention to save him and his dog Serene.
"My dog is my scariest part, the fire can have me but I won't give my dog up. She deserves to live on-- I'm at peace with myself-- the lord can take me when he takes me."
More than 300 structures are threatened-- it is also important to note that there is a hospital and jail nearby. We have been told that the patients and inmates are not being evacuated and that at this time it is safer to keep them where they are than to move them to a new location.
