MOCCASIN – A quickly spreading wildfire forced evacuations from several communities near Highway 49 Thursday afternoon.
The “Moc Fire” was reported near the area of Highway 120 and Highway 49 shortly before 1:00pm. Initially, arriving fire crews reported the incident to be about three acres in size. By 7:45pm authorities reported the fire to have spread to about 1,700 acres.
The quick moving flames jumped Highway 49, consuming entire hillsides and forcing road closures and evacuations. At 3:41pm fire officials reported the fire to be moving East at critical speeds.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for several areas including Groveland and Pine Mountain Lake. An evacuation center was set up at the Mariposa Fairgrounds. By nightfall, caravans of vehicles towing trailers and RV’s could be seen fleeing the Coulterville area through Highway 132. Some vehicles were packed with belongings.
Authorities with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to not wait if they felt unsafe. Westbound Highway 120 was opened for evacuees, and the Sheriff’s Office said to exit the area through Yosemite National Park if people had to.
There was no word on containment of the fire early Friday morning.
