MERCED – (INT) - More than two dozen homes have been destroyed in the Detwiler fire burning in Mariposa County, CalFire reported.

More than 3,100 firefighters are battling the blaze, which surpassed 79,000 acres. Containment lines cover two-thirds of the fire's perimeter.

The fire erupted July 16th in Hunters Valley near Lake McClure and quickly spread.

Access to Yosemite from Highway 140 is blocked from the road closure. Highway 49 also is closed in multiple places.

CalFire officials are asking the public to stay out of the area while crews work. “We have a lot of firefighters and equipment moving in and out of the area,” CalFire Battalion Chief Jeremy Rahn said.

CalFire has set up its incident command post at the Merced County Fairgrounds, where thousands of firefighters are staging.

Governor Brown has issued an emergency proclamation for Mariposa County due to the effects of the Detwiler Fire.

It has damaged power, water and communication infrastructure, threatened homes and caused the evacuation of residents.

Story Date: July 27, 2017