Hunters fire evacuations lifted; blaze now 40% contained
The Central California blaze had charred more than 600 acres and was 40% contained on Wednesday night, fire officials say.
Evacuations for residents near the Hunters fire were lifted Wednesday night, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office said.
The area was reopened at 6 p.m., including Hunters Valley Access Road, Hunters Valley Road, Detwiler Road and Cotton Creek Road, according to the news release from the sheriff’s office.
The Mariposa County wildfire continued to grow and was moving toward Yosemite National Park on Tuesday. More than 600 firefighters, aided by three air tankers and four helicopters, battled the blaze.
On Wednesday morning the Hunters fire was believed to have burned 1,300 acres and was 20% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
But on Wednesday night, Cal Fire said the blaze was 40% contained and that GPS mapping showed that only 677 acres had been charred.
Residents were evacuated Tuesday.
The fire broke out Monday about 3:30 p.m. in the Hunters Valley area near Lake McClure. Within hours of the initial report, the blaze had grown to 500 acres.
Residents who returned to the area were warned to drive with caution as fire crews and other officials continue to have a heavy presence as they work to contain the blaze.
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