Wildfire quickly growing in Mariposa County near Yosemite National Park, Cal Fire says

Update, 9/1/26 – 6:30 p.m.

According to Cal Fire, the fire is spreading at a slow to moderate rate. Increased humidity has helped slow the fire’s progression.

Read more Aniesha Mitchell removes ‘academic barriers’ to help Sac State students thrive

Original story:

A wildfire that broke out in Mariposa County about 20 miles southwest of Yosemite National Park on Tuesday afternoon has quickly spread to 250 acres, and has forced road closures and evacuations.

The Colorado Fire is located north of Midpines, west of Highway 140 and Colorado Road, and is threatening 45 structures, according to a Cal Fire report.

Highway 140 is closed from Briceburg to the Bug Hostel, according to a Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.

A temporary evacuation point is New Life Calvary Chapel, 5089 Cole Road in Mariposa, and it accepts small animals, Cal Fire said. To learn where large animals will be accepted in Mariposa County, call 209-966-3615.

Read more California e-bike bill could create sidewalk speed limit for all

The fire was first reported by Cal Fire at 2:01 p.m. It was 10 acres at the time. By 3:11 p.m. it was 171 acres and at 5:30 p.m. it had grown to 250 acres. A Cal Fire update said there is zero containment.

It is burning at a moderate rate of spread toward the Merced River drainage, Cal Fire said. Steep terrain is making access to the fire’s perimeter difficult.

The Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit is responding to the blaze with 14 engines, three water tenders, four helpicopters, two dozers and three hand crews. A total of 126 personnel is involved, Cal Fire says.

This story was originally published September 1, 2026 at 3:52 PM with the headline “Wildfire quickly growing in Mariposa County near Yosemite National Park, Cal Fire says.”

Read more Gov. Newsom must sign bill holding federal officers accountable | Opinion