A massive wildfire in Mariposa County triggered a new round of evacuations Tuesday as flames threatened power lines that feed Yosemite National Park, officials said. Approximately 4,000 people have been forced from their homes since the Detwiler fire, which is burning east of Lake McClure, exploded to 25,000 acres, with hundreds of firefighters trudging through steep terrain to reach flames in overgrown vegetation, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. By 8:30 p.m., the blaze was only 5% contained and had destroyed eight structures, damaged one and was
threatening an additional 1,500. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office extended evacuation orders to residents in the town area of Mariposa, east of Merced. The Red Cross opened evacuation shelters at Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church in Oakhurst and Cesar Chavez Middle School in Planada. “The communities of Hunters Valley, Bear Valley, Catheys Valley, Mormon Bar, the town of Mariposa, Mount Bullion, Yaqui Gulch/ Agua Fria areas and Hornitos continue to be threatened,” CalFire said. READ MORE