Creek Fire grows to over 73,000 acres, no containment

MONDAY UPDATE 9:30AM: New figures for the fire were updated this morning. The Creek Fire is now at 78,790 acres with no containment. Almost 1,000 firefighters are working at the fire scene which is under gusty wind and high heat warnings Monday.

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The fire responsible for sending smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin is now at 73,278 acres and has no containment. The Creek Fire a fast-moving fire that started near the communities of Big Creek and Huntington Lake Friday night. It has moved very quickly prompting several evacuations. Early Saturday afternoon the fire crossed the San Joaquin River and made a run into the Mammoth Pool area. Prompting some members of the public to shelter in place near Wagner’s Store and Campground.

With assistance of the California Army National Guard, 207 people were safely evacuated and assessed for medical needs with 20 transported to area hospitals.

Evacuations and road closures: Mandatory evacuations are in place for the communities of Big Creek, Huntington Lake and Cascadel Woods. Hwy 168 is closed 2.7 miles east of Prather below the four lanes. There is no access to Shaver Lake.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that an evacuation warning is likely for the town of North Fork, meaning an evacuation order is imminent.

It also is possible that Bass Lake will go under an evacuation warning in the next few days. Yosemite officials have warned areas south of Chinquapin including Wawona residents and visitors to get set and prepare their home and family for the possibility of having to evacuate due to the Creek Fire.

Evacuation Orders:
Shaver Lake down to Cressman
Big Creek
Huntington Lake
Camp Sierra
High Sierra areas, which include: Florence Lake, Ward Lake, Portal Forebay, Edison Lake Mono Hot Springs, Kaiser and all campgrounds
The area west of Tollhouse, along Auberry Road west to Powerhouse Road
Alder Springs
Mile High
Meadow Lakes
Big Sandy
Jose Basin
Italian Bar
Dinkey Creek
Wishon/Courtright Reservoir