700 Carstens Fire evacuees allowed back home

FRESNO, Calif.

                  |   Watch Video Above for Extended Coverage   |

Cal Fire says this applies to people living in the Lushmeadows area, Darrah Road area to Valley View, Triangle Road between Darrah and Westfalls. Residents will need to show an ID.

Fire officials say an unattended campfire near a main route into Yosemite National Park has grown into a blaze that has led to the evacuations of 800 homes and 1,500 people.

More than 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze in windy and dry conditions. The fire, which started Sunday, is six miles northeast of Mariposa and has burned more than two square miles. The fire has burned 1880 acres, and it's 40 percent contained.

Though temperatures are down, officials fear the weather conditions could still fuel the flames.

------
FIRE DETAILS - updated at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday 6/19/2013

Name: Carstens Fire

County: Mariposa County

Location: Off Carstens Rd., east of 140 in the Midpines area.

Fire Details: 1,621 acres - 40% containment

Structures Threatened: Approx. 150 homes

Evacuations:

  • Hites Cove
  • Jerseydale
  • Clarks Valley
  • Mariposa Pines
  • Residents on the north side of Triangle Rd. from HWY 140 to Darrah Rd.

*** After 8 p.m. Tuesday approx. 700 residents were allowed back into the Lushmeadow area, ID required ***

Evacuation Center:
Mariposa Elementary School -- Jose Street near 7th Street

Livestock and other large animals can be taken to the Mariposa County Fairgrounds
To donate to the SPCA to care for evacuated animals, click here

Road Closures:

  • Triangle Rd at Hwy 140
  • Carlton Rd. at Triangle Rd.
  • Silva Rd. at Triangle Rd.
  • Triangle Rd. at Darrah Rd.

Cause: Human - unattended campfire

Total Fire Personnel: 1,223

Information Line:
(209) 966-4784
The public can additionally call (209) 966-1133 for recorded emergency services information.

Conditions:

There is a combination of hand and dozer line around the north end of the fire; firefighters are improving the line while mopup actions continue. The biggest growth for the fire has been in the Jerseydale and Hites Cove areas. Lowered temperatures overnight have helped with making progress. If temperatures are similar tonight, continued gains are expected. On the southwest side of the fire, the fire backed downslope toward the constructed dozer lines burning pockets of green fuel between the fire line and the fire. This is favorable for containment goals.

The fire has been determined to be human caused. An unattended campfire was not fully extinguished. Continued vigilance and fire safety during dry forest conditions is required. 

Evacuation centers have been established for displaced residents and livestock and pets. Residential evacuation center is the Mariposa Elementary School, and animal evacuation center is at the Mariposa Fairground. 


------

Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.