Updated 8:32 a.m. PDT July 25, 2022
Oak Fire 3-D map, looking north at 9 p.m. July 24, 2022.The Oak Fire northeast of Mariposa, California was very active Sunday especially on the east side where firefighters worked to minimize the spread beyond Footman Ridge and battled, successfully, to keep it from crossing Bear Clover Lane.
The blaze was mapped Sunday night at 16,791 acres.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Oak Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
Part of the western edge of the Ferguson Fire that burned 96,000 acres in 2018 was south of Jerseydale and east of Jerseydale Road. That four-year-old footprint is not stopping the Oak Fire, but the rate of spread and intensity is greatly diminished as it burns, giving firefighters more options to put in direct fireline on the edge where they can, and construct indirect lines out ahead. Drops from helicopters and air tankers are also more effective in the lighter fuels.
Oak Fire 3-D map, east side, looking northwest at 9 p.m. July 24, 2022.While personnel have their hands full slowing or stopping the spread on the east and north sides, the south and west perimeters are looking much better. Direct fire line has been completed in many areas and tactical burning has helped to secure the edge.
In a community meeting Sunday evening fire officials said that soon after the fire started at 2:10 p.m. Friday it was creating spot fires two miles ahead of the main fire. At that time there was little the limited number of firefighters at the scene could do other than protect lives and structures and help with evacuations.
Oak Fire map. The red line was the perimeter at approximately 9 p.m. July 24, 2022. The white line was the perimeter about 23 hours before.The number of structures reported as having been destroyed remains at 10, but that number will change after the two-person damage assessment team begins to report their findings, which may be released today.
Resources on the incident include 17 helicopters, 225 fire engines, 58 dozers, 23 water tenders, and 51 hand crews for a total of 2,093 personnel.
Oak Fire, looking northwest from Miami Peak at 7:18 a.m. July 25, 2022.The video below has excellent footage of air tankers dropping retardant on the Oak Fire. You’ll see in order, DC-10 with a lead plane, BAe-146, DC-10 making a downhill drop, and finally an S-2T.
#Oakfire Some of the air show on the Oak Fire on the South Eastern side pic.twitter.com/HuF5Fk7PL8
— Tim Walton (@Photo1Prod) July 25, 2022
7:54 a.m. PDT July 24, 2022
Oak Fire map. The red line was the perimeter at 10:46 p.m. PDT July 23, 2022. The white line was the perimeter at 4 a.m. July 23.The Oak Fire two miles northeast of Mariposa, California was active on all sides Saturday and into the night. Most of the overnight movement was on the east side which saw the largest growth, spreading for one to two miles east and northeast, crossing Jerseydale road and surrounding a fire station on the road. It moved into the footprint of the Ferguson Fire which burned more than 96,000 acres four years ago.
When the fire was mapped at 10:46 p.m. Saturday night it was spreading toward Bear Clover Lane north of Jerseydale. It was six miles from Yosemite National Park, with the burn scar from the Ferguson Fire in between.
As you can see in the photo below, at 8 a.m. Sunday it was already creating a large plume of smoke.
Oak Fire, as seen from Miami Peak, looking northwest at 802 a.m. July 24, 2022.CAL FIRE reported Sunday morning at 7 a.m. it had burned 14,281 acres since it started Friday afternoon. The number of structures destroyed remained at 10.
Oak Fire vicinity map. The red line was the perimeter at 10:46 p.m. PDT July 23, 2022. The white line was the perimeter at 4 a.m. July 23.On the south, it crossed Triangle Road then reached and crossed in some places Darrah Road.
“The fire is moving quickly. This fire was throwing embers out in front of itself for up to 2 miles yesterday,” Daniel Patterson, a spokesman for the Sierra National Forest said Saturday. “These are exceptional fire conditions.”
Oak Fire 3-D map, east side, 10:46 p.m. PDT July 23, 2022.As of the Saturday night mapping flight the west side has remained east of Highway 140 in the Midpines area.
Evacuations are in effect. Mariposa County maintains a map online showing the affected areas.
Resources assigned include 17 helicopters, 225 fire engines, 58 dozers, 23 water tenders, and 51 hand crews for a total of 2,093 personnel.
Oak Fire, at dawn, July 24, 2022. Courtney Aviation.
