Destructive Detwiler Fire forces evacuations near Yosemite National Park

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer

July 19,2017, 2:02:51PM,EDT

 

 The Detwiler Fire, which has burned more than 45,000 acres since Sunday, has triggered evacuations and road closures throughout Mariposa County in central California.

The blaze, which is burning near Yosemite National Park, has already destroyed eight structures and damaged another. At least 1,500 structures remain threatened, according to Cal Fire officials.

This photo shows the Detwiler Fire from near Horseshoe Bend on Highway 132 on Monday. (Facebook/Toney Gorham via Storyful)

The entire town of Mariposa was ordered to evacuate, according to officials. The town is home to about 2,000 residents.
Highway 140 was closed in the Mariposa area and traffic along Highway 149, and southbound and northbound routes of Highway 49 will be impacted by road closures.
On Tuesday, California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County due to the effects of the fire, which is 7 percent contained as of Wednesday morning.
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Fire officials said power lines located south of the fire, which supply power to the national park, were in danger of being burned. Yosemite remains open to visitors.

Law enforcement officials assisted with evacuation notices and security in response to the Detwiler Fire in Mariposa County, California. (Photo/Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office)

Firefighters were experiencing "extreme and aggressive fire behavior," Cal Fire said. The fire's flames were also encroaching on "culturally and historically sensitive areas."
More than 2,200 fire personnel are on hand to combat the blaze, along with over 200 fire engines, nine air tankers and 11 helicopters.