California Oak Fire evacuees wait to learn fate of their homes
Some evacuees are staying in their cars because pets cannot stay at the same shelter as their owners
Mariposa residents wait to learn fate of their homes after Oak Fire evacuations
Thousands of evacuees in Mariposa, California hope they will be able to return home after the 16,000+ acre Oak Fire prompted officials to evacuate residents.
MARIPOSA COUNTY, Ca. – After the Oak Fire swelled in size over the weekend, thousands of residents were told to pack their essentials and pets and leave their homes.
As of Monday, firefighters continue to make progress on the once uncontrolled wildfire outside of Mariposa, which now stands at 10% containment and has incinerated more than 16,700 acres.
The fire has destroyed several residential homes, according to CalFire. At least seven commercial or residential structures have been destroyed since the wildfire started on July 22.
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Some shelters are open for evacuees and pets, but pets can't stay at the same shelter as their owners. Some evacuees like Richard Blakemore choose to wait it out in their cars so they can remain with their pets.
The American Red Cross is providing meals and other essentials.
Blakemore told FOX 40 Sacramento he and his dog Bernie have water, essentials and the few belongings he could gather before fleeing their home.
"Am I taking this just for a couple of nights of evacuation, or am I taking this because I'm expecting my house to burn down?" Blakemore said. "Those are two different things you're going to be taking."
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Because California state law allows journalists to go behind the fire lines, FOX 40 journalist Gurajpal Sangha could confirm for Blakemore that his home was still standing.
"Wonderful," Blackmore said after seeing a photo. "Even my sheds. Everything's still there."
![The ruins of a home destroyed in the Oak Fire smolder near Midpines, northeast of Mariposa, California, on July 23, 2022.]()
Image 1 of 5The ruins of a home destroyed in the Oak Fire smolder near Midpines, northeast of Mariposa, California, on July 23, 2022. - The California wildfire ripped through thousands of acres July 23 after being sparked a day earlier, as millions of Americans sweltered through scorching heat with already record-setting temperatures due to climb. (Photo by DAVID MCNEW / AFP) (Photo by DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![California Oak Fire]()
Image 2 of 5The Oak Fire started Friday 7/22 in Mariposa County. (Tulare County Fire Department)
![California Oak Fire]()
Image 3 of 5The Oak Fire started Friday 7/22 in Mariposa County. (United States Forest Service)
![A forest is incinerated by the Oak Fire near Midpines, northeast of Mariposa, California, on July 23, 2022.]()
Image 4 of 5A forest is incinerated by the Oak Fire near Midpines, northeast of Mariposa, California, on July 23, 2022. - The California wildfire ripped through thousands of acres July 23 after being sparked a day earlier, as millions of Americans sweltered through scorching heat with already record-setting temperatures due to climb. (Photo by DAVID MCNEW / AFP) (Photo by DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A forest is incinerated by the Oak Fire near Midpines, northeast of Mariposa, California, on July 23,]()
Image 5 of 5A forest is incinerated by the Oak Fire near Midpines, northeast of Mariposa, California, on July 23, 2022. - The California wildfire ripped through thousands of acres July 23 after being sparked a day earlier, as millions of Americans sweltered through scorching heat with already record-setting temperatures due to climb. (Photo by DAVID MCNEW / AFP) (Photo by DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Another evacuee described returning to the fire zone to get his dogs and cats.
"I need her to stay alive," Martin Gott said of his medical dog.
According to a 2021 study by the ASPCA, 83% of pet owners live in communities that face natural disasters.
With the increasing frequency of wildfires and other natural disasters, pet parents everywhere should have a plan in place if they need to evacuate or if their home is damaged.
The Humane Society has a list of items that should be in a pet disaster preparedness kit. Those items for your pets aren't that different from preparing a human family member, including food and water for five days and medication.
Oak Fire explodes in California, destroys at least ten buildings
The Oak Fire, California’s largest fire of 2022, forces more than 3,000 people to evacuate from their homes. At least ten buildings have been destroyed.
On Saturday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Mariposa County after the wildfire more than doubled in size.
Despite the growth, firefighting officials were more hopeful Monday after gaining some containment on the wildfire.
"Firefighters are engaged 24 hours a day," Cal Fire Team 5 Operations Section Chief Justin Macomb said Monday. "They're giving it their best effort. And I am more optimistic today of what's going to happen than I have been in the previous days."