Brush fire triggers mandatory evacuations in Fresno County, but some families won’t leave
A grass fire spreading near Coalinga, Calif., has burned 250 acres and triggered the evacuation of six homes in rural Fresno County, authorities said Tuesday.
The blaze, burning off Mineral Springs Road and Highway 198, ignited about 10:30 p.m. Monday and was 10% contained by the next afternoon, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
Six homes are in the fire zone where mandatory evacuation orders have been issued, said Fresno County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti. Only two of the families chose to leave; the four others are holding out, he said.
“The best thing we can do is advise them there is a potential for danger. It’s up to them whether to heed our advice,” he said. “We hope that people take these situations seriously. The last thing we want to do is separate someone from the comfort of their home, but we like to err on the side of caution.”
Firefighters were making progress on the fire in the afternoon, Botti said. The National Weather Service said temperatures were hovering in the 90s with a slight breeze through the afternoon, though wind gusts above 20 mph could begin during the night.
About 1,000 firefighters were either there or headed to the area to battle the flames, which are burning in steep, grassy terrain, said Cal Fire spokeswoman Stacey Nolan. Four fixed-winged aircraft and three helicopters also are fighting the fire, she said.
The Mineral fire is one of two wildfires burning in the county this week.
The Goose fire has burned four homes, scorched 2,241 acres and is 96% contained, Cal Fire said.
All mandatory evacuations for that blaze have been lifted.
For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
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