Containment Grows For Detwiler Fire

July 22, UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: CAL FIRE continues to estimate the Detwiler Fire at 75,200 acres with 30 percent containment.

The agency says the fire has destroyed 60 residences, 63 minor structures and 1 commercial structure, and damaged 13 residences and 7 minor structures.

Currently another 1,500 structures are threatened.

July 22, UPDATE 8 a.m.: The Detwiler Fire has now burned 75,200 acres and is 30 percent contained.

UPDATE 5: 28 P.M.: The Detwiler Fire evacuation order has been lifted for the town of Mariposa and some roads accessing the town have been opened. Highway 49 south toward Oakhurst is now open as is Highway 140 east of town toward Yosemite.

The fire had burned about 74,000 acres as of Friday morning. That's an increase of about 3,500 acres from Thursday evening.

The fire showed none of the dramatic increases of the previous two days when the fire doubled in size twice.

About 100 homes and outbuildings have been destroyed.

Firefighters have achieved containment on 15 percent of the fire line, primarily to the west, where the fire began Sunday.

UPDATE: 11:30 A.M.: The evacuation order has been lifted for the town of Mariposa, and some roads accessing the town have been opened. Highway 49 south toward Oakhurst is now open as is Highway 140 east of town toward Yosemite. 

The fire has burned about 74,000 acres as of Friday morning. That's an increase of about 3,500 acres from Thursday evening.

The fire showed none of the dramatic increases of the previous two days when the fire doubled in size twice.

Fifty homes and an equal number of outbuildings have been destroyed.

Firefighters have achieved containment on 15 percent of the fire line, primarily to the west, where the fire began Sunday.

UPDATE 7:30 A.M. (AP) - After days of explosive expansion, the wildfire has slowed down and CAL FIRE says Thursday's surge in homes burned comes from new discoveries by firefighters and not new destruction.

Fifty houses have been destroyed by the Detwiler Fire in California's Gold Rush country and residents under evacuation orders worry their homes may be next.

The Detwiler wildfire remains only 15 percent contained but higher humidity has slowed its growth. The flames have charred 74,083 acres.

The Gold-Rush town of Mariposa being threatened by the fire is essentially empty. Usually at this time of year it would be thronged with visitors on their way to nearby Yosemite National Park.

Now all its residents are under evacuation orders.

CAL FIRE says 50 homes have been destroyed and 11 damaged.

Officials 1,500 houses remain at risk.