Overview
- The Colorado Fire, which grew rapidly Tuesday, Sept. 1, has scorched about 171 acres with zero containment as crews try to hold lines north of Colorado Road.
- Mariposa County issued mandatory evacuations for Rancheria Creek Road, Briceburg and the Octagon area and set up a temporary evacuee point at New Life Calvary Chapel.
- Highway 140 and Colorado Road closures are in effect and Pacific Gas and Electric cut power to roughly 136 customers to reduce risk and support response efforts.
- Fire managers say steep, inaccessible terrain is blocking ground access, flames are moving toward the Merced River drainage, and significant additional ground and air resources have been requested.
- Local reporting said a two-vehicle crash on Highway 140 may have sparked the blaze, about 45 structures were reported threatened, and the official cause remains under investigation.