FRESNO (KMJ) — The Mineral Fire stands at 7,500 acres burnt and 85% contained. The ever rising containment level is just one part of the good news emanating from the battle against the blaze.
All mandatory evacuations are off, which include both warnings and orders, and all road closures have been lifted. Coalinga Mineral Springs Road is open once again, but the public are urged to use caution in the area as firefighters and equipment continue to work in the fire areas and surrounding communities.
It’s a very different story from just under a week ago, when the size of the Mineral Fire multiplied by five times from 800 acres the evening of Tuesday August 9th – to 5000 acres the morning of Wednesday August 10th.
“The weather kind of helped us out”, says CAL FIRE’s Mike Yeun. “The winds died down, we have more resources coming in to help out and fight this fire”
As many as 1,124 crew members are assisting in the effort, and two buildings have been destroyed by the flames. The cause of the Mineral Fire is still under investigation.
“We’re taking all safety precautions for our firefighters, so that they don’t get dehydrated, that they’re safe, and to date we don’t have any firefighter injuries to report”.
The aim is to have the fire fully surrounded by Tuesday August 16th, which is three days earlier than anticipated. For the latest information from CAL FIRE on the Mineral Fire click here.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
