Mandatory evacuations are in effect near Yosemite National Park after a fast-moving wildfire broke out Sunday prompting road closures and threatening nearby homes in Sonora, Tuolumne County.
The Dove Fire ignited just before 3 p.m. Sunday near Highway 108 and Stockton Road and had burned about 85 acres as of the latest update from Cal Fire. Fire officials said the blaze was spreading at a dangerous rate, with structures threatened.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office ordered mandatory evacuations for several neighborhoods while firefighters worked to slow the fire's advance.
Where are the mandatory evacuations?
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for:
- McKibbon Drive
- Golden Dove Lane
- Crooked Lane
- Southgate Road
- Stockton Road
- Silver Pine Lane
- Washington Street to Lowe's
- North side of Mono Way to Washington Street
- Golden Dove
- The Silos on Washington Street to Hospital Road
Residents in the following areas are under evacuation warnings and should be prepared to leave if conditions worsen:
- South Washington Street to Barretta Street
- Martha Lane
- Outlook Drive
Road closures
Officials
have closed:
- Highway 108 at Stockton Road
- Stockton Road at Woodside
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and follow directions from emergency crews.
Animal evacuation centers
Officials have opened temporary shelters for evacuated animals.
- Small animals: Tuolumne County Animal Control
- Large animals: Posse Grounds evacuation center
How to prepare for wildfire evacuations
Cal Fire recommends maintaining at least 100 feet of defensible space around homes by clearing vegetation and other combustible materials that could fuel a wildfire.
The Department of Homeland Security also recommends keeping an emergency kit ready with important documents, medications, N95 respirator masks and other essential supplies in case residents need to evacuate quickly.
Officials encourage residents to sign up for local emergency notification systems and monitor evacuation updates as fire conditions can change rapidly.
How did the wildfire start?
Officials have not yet confirmed how the wildfire began.
California wildfire map
Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the nation as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage across the state. She can be reached at baddison@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Facebook here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gateway to Yosemite threatened as Dove Fire sparks evacuations
