2 firefighters injured fighting 'Colorado Fire' as crews battle difficult terrain in Mariposa Co.

MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two firefighters were injured while battling the Colorado Fire in Mariposa County, where crews continued working Wednesday to gain containment of the wildfire sparked after a cement truck crash.

The fire started Tuesday when the driver of a cement truck lost control, skidded across the pavement and crashed into a tour bus. The crash also ignited the wildfire, which continued burning Wednesday.

Smoke from the fire was visible for miles.

The driver of the cement truck was taken to a hospital following the collision. On Wednesday, his company said he was resting and recovering.

CAL FIRE has confirmed two firefighter injuries, though the agency had not released details about the extent of those injuries.

Micah Welintukonis, who was camping in Yosemite when the fire started, said he saw the smoke plume grow rapidly.

"I was just enjoying the day, and next thing you know the sun gets blocked out. You look up, you see all the smoke coming over the hill right there," Welintukonis said.

Welintukonis, a retired U.S. Army veteran, said his military experience helped him react to the situation.

"What you learned in the military and things you did in the military definitely transferred over to civilian life," Welintukonis said. "Just staying calm, cool and collected when stuff's hitting the fan."

The fire also affected travel in the area. Welintukonis said he had to evacuate Yosemite and leave through a different gate after authorities closed Highway 140.

Residents expressed concern as crews worked to contain the fire, recalling previous wildfires in the area, including the Oak Fire in 2022.

"We get nervous about them. Also because we've lost some homes in these fires. I've lost a home myself," Mariposa County resident Jacob Hawley said.

Hawley said he hopes the fire is extinguished soon so visitors can resume traveling to the area, particularly with a busy holiday weekend approaching.

CAL FIRE spokesperson Emily Kilgore said firefighters face significant challenges because of the terrain.

"It's so steep in some places it's almost a vertical climb and they're having to move everything by hand," Kilgore said. "There's not a whole lot of road access so it's a lot of hiking in and bringing in things manually."

The cement truck remained at the scene Wednesday and the road is still closed.

County officials said they are hopeful the fire will be contained and the roadway reopened by the weekend as the area prepares for visitors expected to attend the Mariposa County Fair.

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