UPDATE: More mandatory evacuations underway as hundreds of firefighters battle SQF Complex Fire
On Friday, more than 52,000 acres had been destroyed by the combination of the Castle and Shotgun fires.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Tulare County Sheriff's Office has issued mandatory evacuation orders for some residents as the SQF Complex Fire grew to more than 52,000 acres overnight.
On Friday, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux ordered the communities of Alpine Village, Sequoia Crest and Redwood Drive to leave.
Evacuation orders remain in place for Cedar Slope, Ponderosa, and Pyles Camp. A temporary evacuation point has been set up by the Red Cross at Porterville College Stadium, Gate 2.
The areas of Camp Nelson, Rodgers Camp, Coy Flat, and Mountain Air are still under an evacuation warning.
The large wildfire, which is combination of the Castle and Shotgun fires, is was still only 1% contained on Friday.
Hundreds of firefighters are working around the clock on containment lines.
Officials held a virtual meeting on Thursday night to update residents and fire evacuees on the firefight status.
"We have 630 personnel assigned to this fire. We hope to get more resources, but we have some very extreme fire conditions, especially in Northern California, that does limit the number of resources that we have available here. We are doing the best we possibly can," said Sequoia National Forest Supervisor, Teresa Benson.
A majority of the fire is burning in the Sequoia National Forest but flames have also spread into the Inyo National Forest.
Fire officials say the flames still threaten structures. It's not known when evacuees will be able to return to their homes.
The following road closures are in effect: Johnsondale Bridge and Sherman Pass, Hwy 190, and the County Transfer Station, as well as M107 and Mountain Road 50.
Get the latest updates and videos on wildfires burning across California here.
