Wildfire near Prather forces hundreds to be evacuated

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A fast-moving wildfire forced hundreds of people to be evacuated in Fresno County Saturday, authorities said.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office called for about 250 residents to evacuate from the path of the blaze that has burned 1800 acres so far and destroyed at least one home and a dozen other structures.

"My house is fried and my animals are gone," Ashley Magallon said after being evacuated. "It's okay as long as we help each other out, the neighbors help each other out. We'll live."

Authorities closed Highway 168 just south of Prather for several hours while firefighters battled the fire and evacuated residents.

"We have a slope and wind driven fire right now," Will Goodman with Cal Fire said. "When wind and fire line up, they make more aggressive runs."

The fire is 5 percent contained as of Saturday night, fire officials said.

"It's huge," Dana Bays said as she watched the fire. "We watched it explode, coming across Old Millerton Road and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

An evacuation center has been set up at Foothill Middle School and a center for large animals at Sierra High School on 33326 Lodge Road in Tollhouse.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Stay with ABC30 for updates.