Mandatory evacuations are underway in Mariposa County following the outbreak of the French Fire, which ignited during an ongoing heatwave ravaging much of California. Reporting by FOX40 confirmed that the blaze began around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and had scorched approximately 400 acres by Thursday evening.
The Mariposa Sheriff's Office has ordered evacuations for several areas, including Hospital Road, Grosjean Road, Smith Rd from Hwy 140 to Hospital Road, and all Jones Street. Evacuation warnings are also in effect for segments of Highway 140 and surrounding regions. The area's hospital, JCF Hospital, has been instructed to shelter in place. Deputies are visiting homes door-to-door to ensure residents are aware of the danger, urging those who do not feel secure to evacuate without delay.
A new blaze near Yosemite National Park, dubbed the French fire, has rapidly expanded to 791 acres and is still 0% contained, as reported by NBC News. Throughout Mariposa, power outages are affecting almost 3,500 customers. The Red Cross has established an evacuation point at New Life Christian Church on 5083 Cole Road to assist those displaced by the wildfire.
While the Mariposa community grapples with the French Fire, Northern California contends with the larger Thompson Fire, which has consumed close to 3,800 acres in Butte County and reached 46% containment. The blaze has displaced thousands, with many residents facing the dual hardship of evacuating their homes and enduring extreme heat, which canceled many of the Fourth of July celebrations. "It's really sad. I'm out here in this 108 degrees... I'm more worried about my dad," Lynette Bailey told NBC News, expressing concern for her elderly father after scrambling to evacuate.
The causes of the French Fire remain under investigation, and authorities have not released information regarding its origins. However, in the case of the Thompson Fire, officials from Cal Fire and the Butee County Fire Department have arrested Harold Pulley for allegedly starting a backfire with a propane torch. His actions led to his arrest on a felony charge of unlawfully causing a fire to wildland. Residents are encouraged to stay informed on evacuation orders and follow directives from local authorities.
