Published Sunday, July 31, 2022, 1100 hours PT
=== INCIDENT SUMMARY ===
The OAK FIRE is located five miles northeast of Mariposa (Mariposa County), California, and was ignited on Friday, July 22, 2022, around midnight.
The cause is unknown and under investigation.
=== EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT ===
- Jerseydale Road and all side roads
- Sweetwater Ridge / Mine Area
- Feliciana Mountain Road
- Ferguson / Apperson Mine Road Area
- Savage Lundy Trail
- Hites Clove Road
- Footman Ridge Area
- Devils Gulch Area
The Evacuation Shelter (people and their small pets) is located at the Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones Street in Mariposa, California.
Small Animal Shelters:
- Mariposa County SPCA, 5599 Hwy 49 North, Mariposa, CA (FULL)
- Mariposa Elementary School, 5044 Jones Street, Mariposa, CA.
Large Animal Shelters:
- Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa, CA.
- Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds, 44777 Rodeo Grounds Lane, Coarsegold, CA.
=== EVACUEE RESOURCES ===
LOCATION ASSISTANCE CENTER (LAC) – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CA OES) in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies is opening up a LAC center for Oak Fire survivors. LACs are activated following major disasters to support survivors and businesses suffering disaster-related losses or damages and replace lost or destroyed vital documents, (ID, financial info, etc), and get connected with support services.
Mariposa County HS Gym, 5074 Old Highway N, Mariposa CA 95338. To open August 1 thru 3, 2022 from 0900 hours – 1900 hours (9am-7pm). Masks are optional. Those with special needs can call for transportation by calling 1-209-966-2000.
Partner Agencies for this LAC include:
- Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV)
- Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
- CA Department of Insurance
- CA Department of Public Health
- Contractors State License Board
- CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration
- CA Department of Veteran Affairs
- Employment Development Department
=== UNIFIED COMMAND ===
CAL FIRE Team 5, IC Hopkins with the Sierra National Forest and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department.
CAL FIRE IMT Team 5 is managing the fire.
=== INCIDENT COOPERATORS ===
There is a total of 3,788 total personnel alongside 97 hand crews, 292 engines, 66 dozers, 79 water tenders, and 20-plus helicopters.
CAL FIRE USFS – 8 exclusive use helicopters have been funded by the CA Governor’s Office’s budget to increase surge capacity for wildland fire emergency response to the Oak Fire. More than 22 helicopters were assigned, including the CAL FIRE Hawk which flew on night ops.
Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
CAL OES (Office of Emergency Services)
PG & E – 720-plus personnel are working to restore power to 400-plus residents due to damaged and destroyed power poles.
CA Highway Patrol (CHP).
Bureau of Land Management.
North Fork Rancheria.
Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation.
Picayune Rancheria of Chuckchansi Indians.
North Fork Mono Indians.
CA Department of Transportation (CA DOT).
CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
CA Conservation Corps.
Yosemite National Park.
Mariposa Public Utilities.
Merced-Mariposa Cattleman’s Association.
Civil Air Patrol.
US Forest Service.
American Red Cross.
The Central California Animal Disaster Team – The CCADT is assisting with small animal shelter.
World Central Kitchen – WCK has activated in response to California’s Oak Fire. Working with local restaurants, we’re delivering several hundred freshly prepared meals to the Red Cross shelter housing evacuated residents—almost 50 homes have been destroyed by the blaze.
=== CURRENT FIRE STATUS ===
The fire behavior is said to be moderate with backing, creeping, and smoldering.
There have been 19,244 acres of tall grass, chaparral and timber scorched.
Firefighters have reached a 64% containment status.
They will continue to provide for structure defense. Build and improve direct line. Increase the depth of control lines. Continue to build a contingency line.
There has been one firefighter injury sustained.
=== DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS ===
About 455 customers are without power, which is in areas where the infrastructure has been damaged directly by the fire. This could include PG&E power poles and other equipment along the corridors of Triangle, Darrah, and Jerseydale Roads. There are about 250 poles that need to be replaced PG&E have about 720 personnel working on the restoration in response to the fire. You can contact PG&E to ensure your contact information is updated. Their phone number is 1-800-743-5000.
There have been a total of 182 structures breaking it down to 116 homes and 66 outbuildings destroyed. Six structures were damaged along with four outbuildings.
Cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment efforts has reached $38.6 Million Dollars.
=== DONATIONS ===
Arbor Works LLC – Helping their communities (posted 7/28/2022)
Oak Fire Relief – GO FUND ME PAGE – Verified Source on the Go Fund site. – https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/california/central?pc=CR_social&utm_source=ALL&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bcgfm_CR_oak-fires-tw
UC Merced – Help our neighboring community of Mariposa as 106 single-family homes were lost in the Oak Fire. @ucmerced you can drop off donations at the Student Involvement Office, Granite Pass 163.
=== WEATHER REPORTS ===
According to the USFS:
It was mostly cloudy overnight. Winds were out of the southwest 3 to 7 mph over ridges with gusts to 12 mph through 8 pm, then winds diminished to light downslope/northeast wind 2 to 4 mph for overnight. Some haze settled into the valleys and canyons. Humidity recovery trended higher, with a maximum of
45-54%. Temperatures dropped into the low 70s.
Winds become southwesterly Friday afternoon, gusting to 11 mph over ridges. Sunday temperatures will cool will by several degrees, with afternoon temperatures not as hot with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Afternoon humidity minimums will be moister, only dropping into the upper 20s. There is a slight chance of showers continuing into the evening.
Smoke Outlook Report – https://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/2022/07/sunday-july-31-2022-smoke-outlook.html
=== LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF SOCIAL MEDIA ===
Looking through the Eyes of Social Media is what the public and others are saying about the current fire.
“The McKinney Fire is now the largest wildfire of the season in California, surpassing the Oak Fire in Mariposa County.” – News Media (July 31)
“Less than 20 hours after it started, the McKinney Fire is already the second largest wildfire of the season in California following the Oak Fire.” – News Media (July 31)
“It’s actually raining in Midpines! In July. Not usual. Mother Nature sent us some help.” – Personal post (July 27)
“Gov. Gavin Newsom of California declared a state of emergency in Mariposa County as the Oak fire has more than tripled in size since Friday night, threatening thousands of structures and forcing the evacuations of 3,000 residents.” – News Media (July 24)
“Surreal apocalyptic scene.” – Personal post (July 23)
“California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from @fema to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the #OakFire being driven by hot, dry weather and drought conditions.” – Office of the Governor of California (July 23)
” Thie fire jumped Carter Rd. This fire is aggressive.” – Fire Watcher (July 22)
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