Friday, July 21, 2017

Raging Detweiler Fire Poses Danger to Mountain Residents and Challenges for Firefighters

The Detweiler Fire in the mountains west of Yosemite National Park has grown to nearly 75 thousand acres in just 5 days. Fueled by tall, dry grasses and drought-stricken trees and brush, it has threatened the gold-rush town of Mariposa and spread through the wildlands as well as the populated rural region in the rugged landscape. Some 5000 residents in and around Mariposa were evacuated earlier this week, but today the evacuation order was lifted. So far 58 structures have been destroyed along with 60 minor structures, while another 11 residences have been damaged. Smoke from the fire has inundated Yosemite Valley and has been windblown as far away as Idaho. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.