River Fire in Madera, Mariposa counties explodes to 4,000 acres, residents ordered to evacuate
Driven by wind, the fast-moving blaze jumped from 50 to 800 to 4,000 acres in a matter of hours.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- CAL FIRE crews are battling a wildfire in Madera and Mariposa counties that is spreading quickly and threatening lives and property.
One structure and four outbuildings have already been destroyed, officials said on Monday morning.
The River Fire was sparked off Oak Grove Road and Oak Grove School Road in Mariposa County.
Driven by wind, the fast-moving blaze jumped from 50 to 800 to 4,000 acres in a matter of hours. Containment is at 5%.
Madera and Mariposa County authorities have issued an evacuation order for the following areas:
Residents should use Usona Rd or Indian Peak Rd to Hwy 49 to exit the area.
Click here for a map of the evacuated areas.
An evacuation warning has been issued for the following area:
They say there is an immediate threat to residents' life and they must leave immediately.
A temporary evacuation point has been established at New Life Christian Fellowship at 5089 Cole Road, Mariposa, CA 95338.
The American Red Cross has prepared for several dozen people who have been impacted. They've set up cots and will be passing out water bottles and food.
Officials said the Red Cross has helped two evacuees so far.
If residents have questions in the area, they can call CAL FIRE at 844-668-3473.
The area is being closed to public access.
A neighbor alerted John Hanson Sunday afternoon that he was in a life-threatening area and needed to leave.
"Put some clothes in a bag...and... got my shoes.. found (my dog's) bed... and took off, and I hope everything is still there when I get back," said John Hanson.
More than 200 firefighters are battling the fast-moving flames.
Video taken from PG&E's Deadwood Peak webcam shows huge thick grey clouds of smoke blowing up above the hills in the area.
The company has shut down power for about 350 customers in the area as a preventative measure.
This story is developing and will be updated.
