The fire season in California has witnessed the largest wildfire in the state’s history, and the crews have made significant progress in containing it. As a result, the major road leading to Yosemite, which is approximately 75 miles east of Modesto, has been reopened on Tuesday evening. This road, known as Highway 140, is located near the community of Midpines and was closed since the fire started sometime in July, after 2:30 p.M.
42% is currently contained. However, in recent years, there have been instances where wildfires have exhibited highly aggressive behavior and managed to surpass containment lines. In order to prevent flames from breaching the containment lines, firefighting teams construct barriers, which can be either natural or manmade, around the outer edges of the fire.
Over 650 buildings are presently at risk.
PG&E stated that Cal Fire is working to repair the infrastructure and eliminate any potential dangers to exercising. The assessment teams are currently inspecting the areas that have been burned for damage.
The fire in Yosemite Valley is approximately 30 miles away. Although the Mariposa Grove’s beloved sequoias were at risk of being burned, the crews managed to protect them. However, the Washburn Fire recently posed a threat to the national park.
On Sunday, smoke from the forest fire shifted towards the north and reached the Sierra region, particularly in the Tahoe basin.
The smoke caused air quality to reach hazardous levels, even in areas as distant as Graegle in the north. According to PurpleAir, the Truckee region, South Lake Tahoe region, and the Pollock Pines region experienced the most severe air pollution.
| LEARN MORE | Smoke from the Oak Fire extends to the north into the Tahoe region.
Evacuation mandates, shelters, and road blockages due to Oak Fire
View a map displaying the ongoing evacuations here.
Evacuation mandates are given when there is an imminent danger to life, and it is legally obligatory to depart.
Road closures:.
Restricted access roads for residents only:
Shelters for relocated individuals:
The Mariposa County Fairgrounds can provide refuge for big animals, whereas the Mariposa Elementary School can accommodate small animals.
Officials from law enforcement learned on Friday night that there were reports of people trapped in cars without assistance in the evacuation zone. They were able to help them out.
The spread of the fire was fueled by dry tree mortality and critically dry fuels, which were exacerbated by persistent drought, as stated in Tuesday morning’s update by Cal Fire.
Tuesday, the blaze battle crews helping are moisture monsoonal to due levels humidity higher, forecast to begin to trend higher is humidity.
| GALLERY BELOW | Photos depict the Oak Fire firefight and its aftermath.
| READ THEIR STORY | ‘It was approaching rapidly’: Mariposa couple recounts evacuation from their home during the Oak Fire.
Newsom declares a state of emergency
The complete declaration can be found here. Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized the Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance to local governments impacted by the fire, enabling him to declare a state of emergency in Mariposa County. This year’s most significant wildfire in California has rapidly become the largest one.
The state has also secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Oak Fire.
The governor’s office announced on Saturday that the grant will enable local, state, and tribal agencies involved in fire response to seek a 75% reimbursement for their qualifying fire impact expenses.
Oak Blaze decreases in speed upon reaching the burn scar left by the Ferguson Fire.
The Oak Fire is burning at a slow rate, which is helping to slow down the spread of the fire, leaving behind scars on the burned areas.
Firefighters from across the globe were assigned to extinguish the wildfire, which affected more than 3,000 people. The fire, known as Fire Ferguson, resulted in the death of two firefighters and left 19 others injured.
As per officials from Sierra National Forest, a total of 96,901 acres were burned and 10 buildings were demolished.
| VIDEO |Observe the Oak Fire ablaze from above.
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Fire departments from Northern California deploy to aid in battling the Oak Fire
On Saturday morning, the Turlock Fire Department and Consolidated Stanislaus Fire Department also dispatched resources. The Metropolitan Sacramento Fire District and its crews from the Cosumnes Fire Department said they would assist on the front lines.
Turlock fire teams are also reacting, as stated in a tweet from the fire department.
They are among the multitude of other firefighters who have been tasked with aiding in the containment of this fire.
The cause of the fire is uncertain. Cal Fire stated that multiple investigators are collaborating to determine the reason behind the incident.