Fast-moving French Fire triggers evacuations in Mariposa, California

Chris Oberholtz

July 5, 2024 at 2:58 p.m.·1 min read

MARIPOSA, Calif. – A wildfire broke out in Mariposa, California, on Thursday, spreading rapidly due to dry weather and strong winds.

The French Fire has already burned through over 840 acres of land, and containment efforts have only reached 5% effectiveness so far.

The situation has prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for several communities in Mariposa County. Deputies are in the areas making door-to-door notifications.

CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS MAKING PROGRESS ON THOMPSON FIRE AMID GRUELING HEAT WAVE

Temporary shelters have also been set up to accommodate those displaced by the fire.

Highway 140 is closed in the Mariposa area, outside of Yosemite due to the fire. All other roads to Yosemite are open. Visitors can expect long delays at entrance stations. The National Park Service said the fire is not threatening Yosemite National Park, though smoky skies has degraded air quality in the region.

As firefighters work to manage the fire, the adverse weather conditions make it tough to extinguish the blaze. The area's extreme heat wave has worsened the situation, causing the fire to become more active and hampering containment efforts.

The fire's exact cause remains under investigation.

Original article source: Fast-moving French Fire triggers evacuations in Mariposa, California

The Canadian Press
'Nobody has these stories': Canada's longest river at record low levels
Canada's longest river is at historically low levels, stranding communities that rely on it for essential goods and alarming First Nations along its banks who have never known the mighty Mackenzie to be so shallow.
LA Times
Motorcycle tour of Death Valley turns fatal as thermometer cracks 128 degrees
As the temperature climbed to a record 128 degrees in Death Valley National Park, a group of motorcyclists was sickened by the heat, and one died.
The Weather Network
Leftovers from Beryl to soak southern Ontario and Quebec with heavy rain
Southern Ontario and Quebec will be hit with the remnant moisture from what was once Hurricane Beryl this week, bringing heavy downpours and a risk of thunderstorms
Tacoma News Tribune
One of the worst invasive species threatens WA waters. Here’s what to do if you see it
There’s a hotline that beachgoers can call if they find one of the creatures.
The Weather Network - Video
Remnants of Beryl may make an appearance in Canada
Could the remnants of Beryl make an appearance in Canada? Meteorologist Rhythm Reet from The Weather Network investigates the possibility and its potential impacts.
Business Insider
Florida residents were shocked to see a manatee swimming in their human-made lake. A biologist thinks she knows how it got there.
Residents living near an artificial lake in Florida noticed a manatee swimming in it. Manatees typically swim near the cost and in rivers, not lakes.
CBC
Province orders conservation authorities to drop wetlands mapping plans
The Ontario government has ordered three conservation authorities in the eastern part of the province to suspend plans for updated wetlands mapping after some landowners complained the process caught them by surprise. One of the conservation authorities had appeared to cite new provincial regulations as an impetus for the project. But in an emailed statement to CBC last week, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources said mapping updates were never the intention of the regulatory changes. The prov
CBC
'Unbelievable I survived': Yukon woman attacked by bear speaks out
Vanessa Leegstra is still recovering after a bear attack in Haines Junction, Yukon on June 30. Speaking from hospital, she said she's still in a lot of pain. Leegstra was on a run with her dog near the Pine Lake campground at around 10 p.m. that day when she spotted a group of bears. "I was trying to give them space before my dog noticed, but she either saw or smelt them... and she took off towards them," she said. Leegstra's dog was leashed, but upon seeing the bears it broke free and chased aw
The Weather Network
Beryl's lingering impacts to reach southern Ontario and Quebec this week
Southern Ontario and Quebec could feel the lingering impacts of Beryl this week after the record-breaking storm makes its final landfall.
The Canadian Press
Heat records tumble in B.C. as forecast brings new wildfire concerns
VANCOUVER — It was so hot on Sunday in Cache Creek, B.C., that only a "big, cold shower" could bring relief, Chandrika Dasi said.
The Weather Network
Texas bracing for approaching Beryl as the storm is set to intensify
A stretch of the Texas coast is now under hurricane and storm surge alerts as Beryl is forecast to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday, ahead of a Monday morning landfall
CNN
Death Valley sets a new daily record with a searing 128 degrees as West Coast heat wave drags on
Extremely dangerous heat is dragging on in the West along with heat and humidity in the eastern US.
Global News
Extreme heat becoming the usual for summer in Western Canada
The potentially dangerous heatwave in Western Canada is only going to get worse in the coming days with Environment Canada issuing more warnings on Sunday evening. And with heat there is often fire. Dan Spector has more on the weather picture which is especially bad south of the border.
The Canadian Press
Heat warnings expand in British Columbia as heat wave intensifies
VANCOUVER — A heat wave has settled in, bringing scorching temperatures across more than 40 regions in British Columbia.
CBC
Extreme temperatures across Alberta produce smoke, fire and heat warnings
From High Level to Fort McMurray to Edmonton, heat warnings are in effect for nearly all of Alberta.Temperatures in northern Alberta are expected to climb to between 30 and 35 C and will persist until at least midweek, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. In Calgary, where Stampede is underway, attendees face temperatures in the low 30s.Rob Griffith, lead metrologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, says the heat in western Canada is due to a system of high pressure, mixe
Business Insider
The most common type of EV battery is a growing source of 'forever chemical' pollution, scientists say
Scientists found PFAS used in lithium-ion batteries in air, water, snow, and soil near chemical plants in the US, Belgium, and France.
CNN
Deer infestation plagues island residents
CNN’s Mike Valerio reports on the impact a non-native deer species has had on South Korea’s Anma Island.
CBC
Heat warning not keeping people away from first weekend of Stampede
Downtown Calgary's Stampede Park is packed with Stetson-wearing festival goers this weekend, in spite of an Environment Canada heat warning. More than 161,000 people jammed into the grounds for the Stampede's opening day – just short of 2023's best-ever opening day attendance of 164,939.Stampede CEO Joel Cowley said about 340,000 people showed up over the first two days, putting the festival about two thousand admissions behind last year's record-setting pace. "Our concerts are toward the end of
KSBW - Monterey Videos
Fish die-off event at Lake San Antonio doesn't deter lake goers
Fish die-off event at Lake San Antonio doesn't deter lake goers
Sky News
Edinburgh Zoo chimpanzee dies after suffering severe injuries in troop fight
A chimpanzee at Edinburgh Zoo has died after a fight broke out in the ape's enclosure. Rene, a 31-year-old male, was severely injured in the brawl and died last week. Fellow chimp Qafzeh was also hurt and required surgery.

Latest Stories