Dove Fire Burns 166 Acres in Tuolumne County, Forcing Mandatory Evacuations

Q: As the Dove Fire rapidly expands near Sonora, what critical factors suddenly slowed its dangerous spread?

The Dove Fire’s spread appeared to slow because firefighters were able to box it in with retardant and containment lines, even though the fire was still active. Early Sunday, officials described the fire near Highway 108 and Stockton Road as moving at a “dangerous rate of spread” through dry vegetation, with hot conditions and gusty winds helping push it quickly across the Mill Villa area near Sonora and Jamestown. By late afternoon, however, updated incident reports said the fire was “holding within the retardant lines” and had shifted to a “moderate rate of spread.” That change points to two critical factors: aggressive suppression work and at least some improvement in immediate fire behavior. Cal Fire said firefighters were continuing to engage the fire and reinforce containment lines, while air tankers from across the state were flying suppression missions when conditions allowed. On the ground, a large force of engines, crews, dozers, water tenders and a helicopter was assigned to structure protection and perimeter control. There is no indication in the available reports that the threat had ended. Officials still kept evacuation orders and road closures in place, stressing that the blaze remained dangerous. But the key reason the fire’s advance suddenly eased was that crews succeeded, at least temporarily, in checking it inside retardant drops and strengthened fire lines.

3 articles · Updated · KCRA Sacramento · Jul 26

166 acres had burned by 5:20 p.m. Sunday in Tuolumne County, where the Dove Fire was spreading at a dangerous rate and triggering mandatory evacuations.
Mandatory evacuation orders covered roads including McKibbon Drive, Golden Dove Lane, Crooked Lane, Southgate Road and parts of Stockton Road, with warnings extending to nearby streets around Washington Street and Highway 108.
Stockton Road was closed at Highway 108 and Woodside Drive as the fire burned near Highway 108 and Stockton Road.
Tuolumne County opened an animal evacuation center at Animal Control, while large animals were being moved to the Posse Grounds.