MARIPOSA — A raging wildfire forced evacuations in parts of Mariposa County on the Fourth of July, and patients and workers at a hospital and visitors in two hotels were told to shelter-in-place.
The French Fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. in the area of French Road and Highway 49 in Mariposa. As of 5:50 a.m. Friday, the fire had burned through more than 840 acres and was 5% contained, according to Cal Fire. The agency said bulldozers were being used to build firelines to protect the entire eastern side of Mariposa, and that calmer winds overnight helped them make progress.Firefighters told workers and patients at JCF Hospital and visitors staying at the Yosemite Inn and Quality Inn to shelter in place.Bullion Street- East Side Only from Hwy 140 to the end of the town area.