Bridge Fire at 80 percent containment
MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Firefighters continue making progress on the Bridge Fire in Mariposa County.
The wildfire broke out Friday afternoon on Highway 49 at Harris Road; that's about 10 miles east of Mariposa. The fire has burned at least 300 acres and is now 80 percent contained.
Evacuation orders were lifted at 7 p.m. Saturday for most residents in the Ponderosa Basin area. Those who live along the dirt section of Harris Road were allowed to return home at 7 p.m. Sunday.
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The American Red Cross shelter has shut down. Once the evacuation orders were lifted, the shelter cleared out in mere minutes.
One by one, families returned to their homes, luckily untouched by a fire that could've blazed out of control.
"They could not wait to get home. They were excited. They wanted to go home," said Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Katrina Poitras.
The Red Cross shelter housed dozens of people Friday night, like Carol Madding who'd never been evacuated before.
"I think I was prepared. But I don't think you're really prepared for when they say 'yes, you have to go,'" said Madding.
By late Saturday night, the shelter in the town of Bootjack was completely cleared and everyone had checked out.
Firefighters are monitoring areas outside the control lines for any new spot fires. They are also mopping up and looking for hot spots within the containment lines.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Full containment is expected on Wednesday.
Residents seeking more information about the Bridge Fire can call (209) 966-4784.
