California Wildfire Prompts Evacuation of Over 3,000 Residents
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(OAKHURST, Calif.) — A wildfire north of Fresno, California has burned 600 acres and prompted the evacuation of at least 13,000 people on Monday.
The fire burned 600 acres of land by Monday evening, Cal Fire says. According to the Oakhurst Fire Department, the blaze currently places at least 300 structures at risk. Because of the ongoing threat, 13,000 people or more have already been placed under mandatory evacuations, with at least 2,500 more under evacuation warnings — meaning that they must be prepared to leave their homes immediately if ordered.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but Erica Stuart, the Public Information Officer for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, told ABC News that an officer owned by Suburban Propane caught fire in the blaze. It was not clear, however, whether there was propane in the building, or whether any propane was ignited. Stuart also made clear that the fire was not sparked at that location.
Several hundred firefighters remain at the scene battling the flames.
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