Evacuation orders were lifted for the historic mining town of Mariposa on Friday morning, as firefighters slowed the progress of a massive wildfire burning near Yosemite National Park. <\/p>\n
Authorities lifted the evacuation order at 11 a.m., but warned residents: There will still be smoke in the respective areas as firefighters continue firefighting operations. If at anytime you feel unsafe, please call 911. <\/p>\n
The blaze, which has scorched more than 70,000 acres, is now 15% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It has gutted 58 homes, damaged 11 others and triggered the evacuation of approximately 4,000 people in Mariposa County communities. <\/p>\n
Dozens of other structures have been destroyed or damaged, Cal Fire said. <\/p>\n
Thousands of firefighters plodded through steep hillsides and canyons overnight to reach flames smoldering in chaparral, and at least one firefighter was injured Friday when a fire engine rolled down a hill, officials said. The condition of the firefighter has not yet been made public. <\/p>\n
Temperatures should warm up this weekend, but isolated thunderstorms could sweep over the southern Sierra Nevada range on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. <\/p>\n
On Thursday night, residents displaced by the Detwiler fire attended a community meeting at the Merced Theatre, where they expressed concerns about security and inquired when they could return home. <\/p>\n
Mariposa County Sheriff Doug Binnewies said he hoped downtown Mariposa would reopen Friday, but he warned that some roads would remain closed because firefighters were still trying to mop up. <\/p>\n
Binnewies said deputies were patrolling neighborhoods that were abandoned by homeowners who were forced to flee. He said anyone attempting to commit a crime would be arrested. <\/p>\n
If youre coming here to do something nefarious, we dont want you here, the sheriff said. Get out. <\/p>\n
With officials opening some areas Friday, Allison Byerley, a pastor in Mariposa, said she planned to prepare a special sermon for Sunday to give thanks and raise spirits. <\/p>\n
Byerley said she will quote from Isaiah 43, which reads in part: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. ... When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. <\/p>\n
If prayers could put out fires, this one would have been dead awhile ago, Byerley said. <\/p>\n
Sights, sounds, and the people that made the first day of 2017's Comic-Con a sight to behold. <\/p>\n
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Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Tim Canova are preparing already for their August 2018 congressional primary rematch by raising and spending campaign money. <\/p>\n
Democrats Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Tim Canova are preparing already for their August 2018 congressional primary rematch by raising and spending campaign money. <\/p>\n
ALSO <\/p>\n
The fight to save the gold-mining town of Mariposa from a monster fire <\/p>\n
'Explosive' flames destroy 45 homes as 70,000-acre wildfire rages near Yosemite <\/p>\n
Whittier fire in Los Padres National Forest consumes more than 18,000 acres <\/p>\n
UPDATES: <\/p>\n
11:35 a.m.: This article was updated with details on evacuation orders being lifted for Mariposa. <\/p>\n
8:35 a.m.: This article was updated with information about the possible return of evacuated Mariposa residents. <\/p>\n
7:15 a.m.: This article was updated with new figures on the size of the fire and number of homes destroyed. <\/p>\n
This article was originally published at 4 a.m. <\/p>\n
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Go here to read the rest: <\/p>\n
Evacuation orders lifted for Mariposa as crews slow progress of massive wildfire - Los Angeles Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Evacuation orders were lifted for the historic mining town of Mariposa on Friday morning, as firefighters slowed the progress of a massive wildfire burning near Yosemite National Park. Continue reading