Evacuation orders lifted for Coulterville as crews gain 45 percent containment on Detwiler Fire
MARIPOSA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Detwiler Fire is now 45 percent contained after burning more 76,000 acres, but there is some good news for residents in the town of Coulterville who are finally home after being evacuated for five days.
In the town of 115, very little can be heard on the streets. But days after a huge wildfire roared through this foothill community, thank you signs now decorate the whole town.
It's a message for the men and women who protected them during a time of uncertainty.
"Man the smoke was so thick here," resident David Johnson said. "Could hardly breathe, it was bad."
Johnson evacuated his mobile home near Dogtown Road Wednesday. He says he drove about 20 miles up north to the small town of Groveland.
"I had enough money to get there with $5 in my pocket, and a guy loaned me $5 for a gas can to get up there," he said.
And for three days he stayed there relying on the kindness of strangers.
"I hooked up with some people who packed everything out of their freezer," he said. "Kept me fed for a couple days there. It was pretty cool."
But Jennifer Zimmerman didn't leave. She owns Cake Walk - a bakery and coffee shop. With food in the kitchen, she said it became a priority to stay put and take care of those on the frontline.
"Was lined with them, so I looked out there and thought I have ice coffee made for days," he said. "I have all kinds of stuff prepped for this coming week, so I just ran down there and told every guy in every truck please, please you're welcome to it."
Zimmerman says it was a small act of kindness on her part but one that went a long way.
"To be able to tell them thank you every day, I felt fortunate to do that," she said. "And I felt fortunate to have a home afterward and fortunate to have a town."
These areas still remain under an evacuation advisory:
Hwy 49 North from the town of Coulterville to Crown Lead Rd including all side roads
Hwy 132 and all side roads
J132- From Hwy 49 North to Lower Dog Town Rd (Dog Town Rd remains closed)
Downtown Coulterville
Buckeye Rd
Old Hwy and all side roads(Yaqui Gulch remains closed)
W. Whitlock and all side roads (Mt. Bullion Ridge Rd remains closed)
E. Whitlock and all side roads
Colorado and all side roads
Sherlock Rd and all side roads
The following roads on Hwy 140: Martin Rd, Bumguardner Mt. Rd, Paso Del Oso, Hummingbird Ln, Grosjean Rd, Lakeview Rd
