French firefighters force evacuations, close highway near Mariposa

Residents were forced to evacuate due to a wildfire north of Mariposa that broke out Thursday night.

The French Fire started around 6:30 p.m. Thursday and quickly grew to 400 acres, according to Cal Fire. Residents north of Highway 140, past Mariposa High School, were ordered to evacuate. A spokesperson for the John C. Fremont Healthcare District said the hospital was sheltering in place as of 9 p.m. At that time, the fire was 0% contained.

According to Cal Fire, officers went door to door in the area warning residents to leave as the fire sent plumes of black smoke. Power was out to much of the area surrounding the fire due to a storm, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Highway 140 from Smith Road to West Whitlock Road was also closed due to the fire, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.

A red flag warning had already been issued for the area to warn residents of the potential for a prairie fire. A shelter has been set up at New Life Christian Church, 5089 Cole Road, a few miles south of the fire on Highway 49.

As of Thursday evening, Cal Fire said the fire was spreading “at a dangerous rate,” threatening structures, power lines and critical infrastructure.