Car crash sparks California wildfire as urgent evacuation orders issued

A wildfire sparked by a fiery highway crash has exploded to roughly 250 acres in Mariposa County, prompting mandatory evacuations as crews battle the blaze in steep, rugged terrain.

The so-called Colorado Fire was initially reported at 171 acres with zero containment before growing to about 250 acres by Tuesday afternoon, according to fire officials.

Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Rancheria Creek Road, Briceburg — including all campgrounds — and the Octagon area.

An evacuation warning has been issued for Colorado Road from Highway 140 to Rancheria Creek.

The following areas are under mandatory evacuation orders:

• Mariposa (546)
• Mariposa (548)
• Mariposa (549)

The following area is under an evacuation warning:

• Mariposa (547)

Highway 140 is closed from Briceburg to the Bug Hostel, while Rancheria Creek Road is also shut down.

The fire is burning near the Merced River and spreading upslope, with roughly 45 structures threatened. Ground crews have struggled to reach the flames because of the steep terrain, while aircraft are attacking the fire from above.

The fire erupted after a cement truck crashed into a small tour bus on Highway 140, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The bus was empty except for its driver, who escaped uninjured according to ABC30. The condition of the cement truck driver was not immediately known, although CHP said the driver was awake following the crash.

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