Detwiler Fire facts for kids
The Detwiler Fire was a very large wildfire that happened in Mariposa County, California. It burned over 81,000 acres of land. This fire was one of the worst wildfires during the 2017 California wildfire season. It also sadly destroyed 63 homes.
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The Detwiler Fire
The Detwiler Fire was a huge event that affected many people and a lot of land. It showed how quickly wildfires can spread. It also showed how much effort it takes to stop them.
How the Fire Started and Grew
The Detwiler Fire was first reported on July 16, 2017, at 3:56 PM. It started near Lake McClure. Just three hours later, the fire had already burned 1,000 acres. It quickly spread towards the northeast.
By July 17, 2017, the fire had grown much larger. It covered about 7,100 acres. The weather made it very difficult to stop the fire. There was intense heat and strong winds. These conditions helped the fire spread even faster.
Fighting the Fire
Because the fire was so serious, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on July 18, 2017. This meant that extra help and resources could be used to fight the fire. Even though the fire was close, Yosemite National Park stayed open. However, some roads leading to the park had to be closed for safety.
By July 21, the fire had burned through 74,083 acres. At this point, 58 homes had been destroyed. Firefighters worked very hard to control the blaze. Over the next few days, the fire department helped to get a big part of the fire under control.
The End of the Fire
On July 26, the firefighters had made great progress. The fire was 65% contained. This means that 65% of the fire's edge was surrounded and prevented from spreading. The Detwiler Fire finally ended on August 10, 2017. It had burned for 25 days.
What Caused the Fire?
The fire was caused by something related to firearms. However, no more details about how it started were shared with the public.
