Sorry, do not have time to better present this horrible situation.   A friend was coming by my place so I was outside to great him when I noticed the air traffic and column of smoke to the east of the LDP Subdivision  around the Hunters Valley area.  (The “finger peninsula” between the Merced River coming from Bagby around Horseshoe Bend and into Lake McClure which is formed from backing up the MERCED RIVER with the New Exchequer Dam – (also had a major fire there [Hunters Valley] several years ago – but this looks much worse!)

I made a good estimate – my neighbor told me what he had heard—- BLM land (aka Public land)  — Hunters Valley area – BUT THOSE PERIODIC BLACK COLUMNS OF SMOKE THAT ROSE FROM THE HORIZON WERE WORRISOME…..   Barn?  Shed.  Other outbuilding?  God forbid a residence?  Did not look good from this distance.

The Hunters Valley subdivision is right there too!  – next to the BLM Land….just west of the open “Peoples Land” on Hunters Valley Access Road (to left when driving to BEAR VALLEY) —- that mountain between the MERCED RIVER and the residential/ranch subdivision !  Then I saw the CALFIRE DESIGNATION on the internet …..The DETWILLER FIRE…..(deep sigh…..residential/ranch area!)

Check it out for yourselves….here are some photos from my place looking almost due East – (Lake McClure is in between and out of sight beyond foreground hillside).   Please say a prayer for those involved – or at least think “good thoughts” for all living things – this one appears to be particularly “ugly” and  fast moving judging by the wind here and the smoke drift there.)

 

My best to you and yours, Lew

<OFFICIAL INFORMATION LINK>

PHOTOS FROM TARANTU-RATTLE (Lake Don Pedro Subdivision, Mariposa County side)

<above>  THREE FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT AND A BIRD!

 

(NOT IN ORDER OBVIOUSLY…..!)

Here are two photos of the Detwiller Fire from TURLOCK CA, from “Leanne”- thanks Leanne!